Clinical outcomes following laser photocoagulation treatment for diabetic retinopathy at a large Australian ophthalmic hospital

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate clinical outcomes of diabetic retinopathy laser treatment at a large Australian ophthalmic hospital. Methods: A retrospective medical record review of all patients who had initial laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital from January 1997 to December 1998. Results: The study included 322 eyes from 203 patients. The mean age was 65.8 years (range 18-89) and the mean follow up was 18 months (range 2-33). Focal photocoagulation treatment alone was performed in 238 eyes. Clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) resolved in 218 (91.6%) eyes. Vision was improved or maintained in 137 (57.6%) eyes. Moderate visual loss occurred in 49 (20.6%) eyes. Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) was performed in 84 eyes, including 37 eyes with PRP alone and 47 eyes with PRP and focal together. Neovascularization regressed in 55 (65.5%) eyes. Vision was improved or maintained in 52 (61.9%) eyes. Moderate visual loss was observed in 20 (23.8%) eyes and severe visual loss was observed in 4 (4.8%) eyes. Conclusions: The clinical outcomes reported here are similar to those reported in other studies.