Effect of peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy on macular morphology and optic nerve fiber layer thickness; A prospective case series

Abstract

Purpose The goal of the research was to determine the incidence of microstructural alterations in the macula and optic nerve head (ONH) occurred in eyes treated with peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy. Methods Patients with retinal breaks, retinal holes, retinal dialysis, and lattice degenerations who required peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy were recruited in this prospective case series investigation. We performed preoperative and postoperative evaluations, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, funduscopic examination, and macular and ONH optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results 33 eyes of the 23 patients enrolled in this study, 14 of which were female. The mean age of the sample was 45.12 ± 9.12 years. The mean refractive error was − 2.45 ± 1.12 Diopters (D). The most prevalent reason for peripheral laser photocoagulation retinopexy was retinal thinning with symptomatic lattice degeneration (90%), followed by retinal hole and break (7%) and retinal dialysis (3%). Between preoperative and postoperative (6-month) evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference in BCVA (P = 0.82), IOP (P = 0.54), central foveal thickness in macular OCT (P = 0.39), or global retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (P = 0.51). There was no association between changes in central foveal and global RNFL thickness and total laser spot numbers (r = -0.17 P = 0.21, r = 0.06 P = 0.60, respectively). Our patients did not develop cystoid macular edema or epiretinal membrane. Conclusion Peripheral laser photocoagualation retinopexy is a safe procedure for treatment of retinal breaks that significantly minimizes the likelihood of development to retinal detachment.