Clinical outcomes following laser photocoagulation treatment for diabetic retinopathy at a large Australian ophthalmic hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical outcomes of diabetic retinopathy laser treatment at a large Australian ophthalmic hospital.


METHODS
A retrospective medical record review of all patients who had initial laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital from January 1997 to December 1998.


RESULTS
The study included 322 eyes from 203 patients. The mean age was 65.8 years (range 18-89) and the mean follow up was 18 months (range 2-33). Focal photocoagulation treatment alone was performed in 238 eyes. Clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) resolved in 218 (91.6%) eyes. Vision was improved or maintained in 137 (57.6%) eyes. Moderate visual loss occurred in 49 (20.6%) eyes. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was performed in 84 eyes, including 37 eyes with PRP alone and 47 eyes with PRP and focal together. Neovascularization regressed in 55 (65.5%) eyes. Vision was improved or maintained in 52 (61.9%) eyes. Moderate visual loss was observed in 20 (23.8%) eyes and severe visual loss was observed in 4 (4.8%) eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical outcomes reported here are similar to those reported in other studies.
Yi
Qing
Q
Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Bamroongsuk
Parapun
P
McCarty
Daniel J
DJ
Mukesh
Bickol N
BN
Harper
C Alex
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity