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Short-term effects of focal argon laser treatment in diabetic maculopathy as demonstrated by optical coherence tomography

Lookup NU author(s): Michael Birch, James Talks

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Abstract

Purpose: To assess the short-term effects of argon laser on retinal thickening as demonstrated by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: A prospectively collected consecutive series of patients undergoing routine focal argon laser treatment for sight-threatening diabetic maculopathy had bilateral OCT performed before laser treatment and 1 hour, 24 hours, and 2 weeks after treatment. The main outcome measure was change in retinal thickness in the region of laser treatment. Results: Forty-six eyes were analyzed. There was a small increase in retinal thickness in the treated area 1 hour after laser treatment, with a mean change from before laser treatment of +2.6 mu m (95% confidence interval [CI], +0.2 to +5.0). However, there was a larger change 24 hours after treatment of +39.0 mu m (95% CI, +31.6 to +46.4) and a significant decrease 2 weeks after treatment of -14.6 mu m (95% CI, -21.6 to -7.7) from before laser treatment values. Conclusion: Focal argon laser treatment remains the first-line treatment for sight-threatening diabetic maculopathy. This study shows that in the short-term, areas of retinal thickening worsen before settling in response to argon laser treatment as demonstrated by OCT.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Sandhu SS, Birch MK, Griffiths PG, Talks SJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Retina: the journal of retinal and vitreous diseases

Year: 2007

Volume: 27

Issue: 1

Pages: 13-20

ISSN (print): 0275-004X

ISSN (electronic): 1539-2864

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.iae.0000256657.64240.a1

DOI: 10.1097/01.iae.0000256657.64240.a1

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