Retrospective study of outcome of diabetic laser treatment in Singapore National Eye Centre

Abstract

Purpose To describe 2 year clinical outcomes for a retrospective study group of patients undergoing photocoagulation and focal laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR)or maculopathy at an eye institution in Singapore. Methods Retrospective study Results 150 consecutive eyes were recruited.The mean age was 59.3 years old with 46% males and 54% females.Majority were type 2 diabetics (146 out of 150) with mean HBA1c of 8.4 %. Indication for pan retinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) was severe non proliferative DR and indication for macula laser was clinically significant macular edema(CSME). For patients with only PRP performed, the mean change in log mar visual acuity (VA) at 2 yrs was +0.121 +/‐0.46. DR status at 2 yrs was stable in 90.6% of the patients and the macula was unremarkable in 86.8% of the patients. In patients requiring only macula laser, there was improvement in log mar VA at 2 years, with a mean change of ‐0.085 +/‐ 0.18. Diabetic status was stable in 91.3% of the patients and the macula was dry in 95.7% of the patients. In patients undergoing both PRP and macula laser , there was improvement in VA with a mean log mar VA change of ‐0.095 +/‐0.45. DR status at 2 years was stable in 92% of the patients and the macula was dry in 88% of the patients.Complications of laser treatment include epiretinal membrane (5.3%), cystoid macular edema(0.7%)and scar creep(0.7%).0.9% of the patients developed CSME after commencing PRP. Conclusion There is an overall improvement in visual acuity in DR patients undergoing laser treatment. Most patients had stable DR at 2 yrs and there were few complications of the laser.