The Effect of Laser Panretinal Photocoagulation on Diabetic Macular Edema Using the Pascal® Photocoagulator versus the Conventional Argon Laser Photocoagulator.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) on diabetic macular edema (DME) using a Pascal® Photocoagulator (PP) or a conventional argon laser photocoagulator (CALP).

METHODS

Eighty eyes with PDR and center-involving DME were randomized to PP or CALP. Both groups had baseline assessment of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and were examined with optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

The mean number of laser shots for the PP and CALP groups was 1,726.10 and 752.00 at session 1 and 1,589.00 and 830.00 (p < 0.001) at session 2, respectively. The mean central foveal thickness (CFT) at baseline was 306 ± 100 and 314 ± 98 for the PP and CALP groups, respectively. At 8 weeks, the mean CFT was 332 ± 116 and 347 ± 111 for the PP and CALP groups, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean BCVA was similar during the study period with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PP and CALP had similar effects on DME in PDR eyes and were equally safe with no significant increase in CFT.