[Retinal sensitivity following subthreshold diode laser micropulse photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema].

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the retinal sensitivity after subthreshold diode laser micropulse photocoagulation(SDM) to evaluate its safety. METHODS: Eight eyes of 8 diabetic patients with clinically significant macular edema were treated with SDM. SDM was applied with a 15% duty cycle, 0.2 to 0.3 sec, 200 microm, at 700 to 800 mW. Postoperative retinal sensitivity (1-2 weeks) was compared to preoperative retinal sensitivity measured by microperimeter-1 (MP-1, Nidek technologies, Padova, Italy) using a 1 x 1 mm square test grid with 49 stimulus locations. RESULTS: The retinal sensitivity improved (more than 2 dB) in 3 eyes and remained stable (within 2 dB) in 5 eyes. The median retinal sensitivity increased significantly in 5 eyes and decreased significantly in 3 eyes. The average retinal sensitivity of 8 eyes was 12.04 +/- 3.69 dB before laser treatment, and 13.20 3.47 dB after laser treatment and there was no statistically significant change in retinal sensitivity at 2 weeks (p = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Short duration SDM for diabetic macular edema has no significant effect on retinal sensitivity.