Evaluation of Effectivity of Laser Photocoagulation in Diabetic Retinopathy

Aim: 1. To study the efficacy of laser photocoagulation in Diabetic Retinopathy. 2. To study the different laser protocols i.e. parameters used for treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Materials and Methods: Retrospective study was conducted in the Dept. of ophthalmology in a tertiary eye care centre from April 2014 to July 2015. Patients presenting to the Retina Clinic with a diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy and undergoing laser photocoagulation were included in the study. Forty eyes of 20 patients with Diabetic Retinopathy undergoing laser were enrolled. All the patients underwent routine ophthalmological examination including FFA.

Results: Forty eyes of 20 patients with Diabetic Retinopathy undergoing laser were enrolled. There were 9 females and 11 male. Mean age was 58.4 years. 4 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Proliferative Diabetic retinopathy, 9 patients with Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, 7 patients with Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Clinically Significant Macular Oedema. Visual acuity at presentation was more than 6/12 in 17 eyes, 6/60 to 6/18 in 21 eyes, less than 6/60 in 2 eyes. Sixteen eyes received Pan retinal Photocoagulation in 3 sittings while 16 eyes received Focal laser, 8 eyes received Grid laser, 8 eyes received Pan retinal Photocoagulation along with Focal laser, and 8 eyes received Pan retinal Photocoagulation along with Grid laser. Visual acuity after laser was during presentation was more than 6/12 in 32 eyes, 6/60 to 6/18 in 5 eyes, less than 6/60 in 3 eyes. Visual Acuity improved in 57.5% of eyes, remained same in 40% of eyes and worsened in 2.5% of eyes after laser photocoagulation.

Conclusion: Most patients with Diabetic Retinopathy presented with good visual acuity. Pan Retinal Photocoagulation was effective in regressing new vessels in all eyes. Focal laser was more effective than grid laser in reducing macular edema.

4. Visual acuity improved in 57.7% of eyes, remained same in 49% of the eyes and worsened in 2.5% of the eyes.