The Effect of Laser Panretinal Photocoagulation on Diabetic Macular Edema Using the Pascal® Photocoagulator versus the Conventional Argon Laser Photocoagulator.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) on diabetic macular edema (DME) using a Pascal® Photocoagulator (PP) or a conventional argon laser photocoagulator (CALP).

METHODS: Eighty eyes with PDR and center-involving DME were randomized to PP or CALP. Both groups had baseline assessment of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and were examined with optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS: The mean number of laser shots for the PP and CALP groups was 1,726.10 and 752.00 at session 1 and 1,589.00 and 830.00 (p < 0.001) at session 2, respectively. The mean central foveal thickness (CFT) at baseline was 306 ± 100 and 314 ± 98 for the PP and CALP groups, respectively. At 8 weeks, the mean CFT was 332 ± 116 and 347 ± 111 for the PP and CALP groups, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean BCVA was similar during the study period with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: PP and CALP had similar effects on DME in PDR eyes and were equally safe with no significant increase in CFT.