[Grid laser photocoagulation in diffuse diabetic macular edema].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the clinical outcome of macular grid laser photocoagulation in the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular oedema.


METHODS
The retrospective study included 30 consecutive patients (41 eyes) who were treated by macular argon green grid laser photocoagulation for diffuse diabetic macular oedema. Follow-up time was 31.4 +/- 19.6 weeks.


RESULTS
Visual acuity decreased from 0.25 +/- 0.18 (range, 0.03 - 0.8) to 0.20 +/- 0.18 (range, 0.02 - 0.8) (P = 0.045), representing a change of - 0.9 +/- 2,32 lines. 5 (12.2 %) eyes gained in visual acuity, visual acuity remained unchanged for 23 (56.1 %) eyes, and 13 (31.7 %) eyes showed a visual loss of more than one line. In eyes with a baseline visual acuity > or = 0.2 (N = 24) visual acuity dropped from 0.36 +/- 0.15 (0.2 - 0.8; median 0.3) to 0.29 +/- 0.19 (0.05 - 0.8; median 0.2) (p = 0.038). 3 eyes (12.5 %) gained > or = 2 lines, 11 eyes (45.8 %) lost > or = 2 lines, 10 eyes (41.7 %) remained stable. Mean loss was - 1.63 +/- 2.53 lines. Eyes with a baseline visual acuity < or = 0.2 did not change significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study mean visual acuity decreased in the whole population and especially in the subgroup with a baseline visual acuity of > or = 0.2 after macular grid laser photocoagulation for diffuse diabetic macular oedema. Mean visual loss was just below the predefined 2 lines. In view of these results and upcoming new pharmacological and surgical treatment modalities, the significance of grid laser photocoagulation should be re-discussed.
Degenring
Robert F
RF
Univ.-Augenklinik Mannheim, Fakultät für Klinische Medizin Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg. robert.degenring@augen.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Hugger
Philipp
P
Sauder
Gangolf
G
Jonas
Jost B
JB
D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity