Title: Clinical study of panretinal photocoagulation in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy using laser indirect ophthalmoscopy

Authors: Nithya M, Mishra P, Manavalan S, Sridevi V, Ramya M

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i10.195

Abstract

Background: The diode laser is a solid state laser with wavelength of 532nm that produces photocoagulation. It is a technique used in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs as a microvascular complication of systemic diabetes which produces hemorrhages, neovascularisation in the retina and if left untreated can lead to vision threatening complications like vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment.

Objective: To study the efficacy and complications of Panretinal Photocoagulation in the treatment of severe nonproliferative and early proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Material and Methods: This prospective clinical study was conducted in the Department of   Ophthalmology at Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, Chidambaram from October 2016 to September 2018 on 100 eyes of 50 patients with diabetic retinopathy who underwent Panretinal Photocoagulation using diode pump solid state (DPSS) OCULIGHT GL 532nm. The patients were assessed for post laser best corrected visual acuity at 1 week and 6 months.

Results: Out of 50 patients 31(62%) were males and 19(38%) were females. The mean age of the patients in the study was 57years. Most of the patients in the study were in the age group between 51 and 60 years (44%). The mean duration of diabetes was 6 to 10 years (34%). The mean BCVA of BE before laser treatment and after laser treatment showed significant reduction at 1 week, which improved at 6 months to pre laser VA and 96% patients had stable vision and only 4% showed decrease in BCVA due to persistence of PDR and they developed vitreous hemorrhage.

Conclusion: The Panretinal Photocaogulation is a safe, effective outpatient procedure for the treatment of severe non proliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Keywords: panretinal photocoagulation, severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, best corrected visual acuity.

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Corresponding Author

Nithya M

Postgraduate, Department of Ophthalmology, Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital,

Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar – 608002