Results of photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy after long-term follow-up.

Seventy-three diabetes with retinopathy, in whom one eye was treated by photocoagulation, and the other was left untreated, were followed-up for 9 to 11 years. Visual acuity, visual field, dark-adaptation curves, and intraocular pressure were recorded; biomicroscopy and photography of the fundus were carried out. Severe visual loss (<0.1) was noted in 4% of the treated and in 25% of the untreated eyes. Minor, subjectively unnoticed, scotomas were found at visual-field examination in 18 of 40 treated eyes. Dark-adaptation curves showed abnormal values both in the treated and in the untreated eyes, without any recordable difference. No contra-indicating long-term complications of the photocoagulation treatment could be demonstrated.