The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the efficacy of different photo-coagulations in diabetic macular edema treatment

Y. Shao, T.-T. Xu, Y. Zhang, C.-G. Pei, Q. Zhou

Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Province, Clinical Ophthalmology Institute, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. zhou_qiong111@163.com

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• Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of the early application of photocoagulation for treating the macular edema in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). We also wanted to evaluate the potential of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to make a quantitative detection in patients suffering from this condition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 2010 to October 2014, a total of 132 patients, all diagnosed with NPDR combined with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) in our hospital, were enrolled in this study. After obtaining the approval of the hospital Ethics Committee and the informed consents of patients and families, we divided the cases into two groups: PRP group (n=63) and macular edema group (n=69). Clinical effects and complications associated with the used methods were compared and analyzed in two groups.

RESULTS: We analyzed the panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), and macular grid photocoagulation curative effects. The difference in successful surgery rate, between the two groups, was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). When we examined patients 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery, average retinal thickness and volume in macular region in both groups were reduced. In the group, the comparison was statistically significant (p < 0.05) while between the groups, the comparison was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Visions in both groups were improved after treatment and difference on the post-operative 6-month vision improvement degree between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the early photocoagulation could significantly improve the vision. However, the clinical effects and complications associated with the use of PRP and macular grid photocoagulation had no significant differences.

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