Subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema in Japanese patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema (ME).


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized interventional case series.


METHODS



METHODS
Institutional.


METHODS
Thirty-six consecutive diabetic patients (43 eyes) with clinically significant ME and a central macular thickness (CMT) <600 microm by optical coherence tomography.


METHODS
Subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation was done with a 15% duty cycle (0.2 to 0.3 sec; 200 microm) at 50% to 90% of the burn threshold energy. The treated area was monitored on color images for 12 months.


METHODS
CMT, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and total macular volume at 3 months.


RESULTS
After 3 months, there was a significant reduction of CMT (P = .05, paired t test), but the changes of BCVA and macular volume were not significant. The preoperative CMT, BCVA (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution; logMAR), and macular volume were 341.8 +/- 119.0 microm, 0.12 +/- 0.20, and 8.763 +/- 1.605 mm(3) respectively, vs 300.7 +/- 124.1 microm, 0.12 +/- 0.21, and 8.636 +/- 1.408 mm(3) at 3 months. CMT decreased significantly from 1 month (P = .015, Friedman test). Visual acuity was improved or maintained within 0.2 logMAR for 12 months in 94.7% of the patients. No obvious laser scars were detected in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with moderate diabetic ME, subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation controls ME and maintains visual acuity with minimal retinal damage. These findings confirm the efficacy of this method for Japanese patients.
Ohkoshi
Kishiko
K
Department of Ophthalmology, St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. kishiohk@luke.or.jp
Yamaguchi
Tatsuo
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology