[The study on changes of macular light sensitivity before and after photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema]

Abstract

Objective: The study was designed to determine whether laser photocoagulation could damage macular visual function in treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Methods: A prospective clinical trial was taken to determine the effects of argon green (514.5nm) laser photocoagulation on macular light sensitivity (MLS) by comparing the self MLS pairing data collected from a Humphrey automatic visual field analyzer before and after the procedure. Nineteen eyes of 15 patients with diabetic macular edema consistent with its diagnostic criteria were enrolled in this study, a follow-up period being 3 months.

Results: The mean MLS at the photocoagulation area, non-photocoagulation area, 5 degrees and 13 degrees eccentricity were significantly decreased within 1 week after the treatment, the drops of MLS were 1.85 dB, 1.05 dB, 0.99 dB, 1.66 dB respectively (P < 0.05). The mean reduction of MLS at the fovea within 1 week after the treatment has no statistical significance. The MLS gradually recovered at the 1st and 3rd month after photocoagulation, and the visual acuities in most of the cases were stable or increased.

Conclusions: MLS is affected little by laser photocoagulation, and photocoagulation can reduce the risk of visual loss or increase visual acuity in an eye with diabetic macular edema.