Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical outcome of a pilot study of subthreshold diode laser micropulse photocoagulation (SDM) for diabetic macular edema. Methods: Twenty two patients 25 eyes with clinically significant macular edema were investigated after SDM. Primary outcome measurers were visual acuity, foveal macular thickness and macular volume measured by OCT scan. Results: After more than 6 months follow-up, no obvious laser scar was found at treated area. Visual acuity was improved or maintained within 0.2 Log MAR level change in 92% of treated eyes. In 19 eyes which macular thickness parameters had been measured with OCT scan, average foveal thickness which was 340.6μm preoperatively had been significantly decreased after treatment; 313.5μm at 1 month (P=0.019), 295.3μm at 3 months (P=0.013), 286.3μm at 6 months (P=0.006). Average foveal volume which was 8.245mm3 preoperatively had also decreased after treatment; 8.235 mm3 at 1 month, 8.117mm3 at 3 months, 7.897mm3 at 6 months (P=0.04). Conclusion: Subthreshold diode laser micropulse photocoagulation is effective treatment for clinically significant macular edema to decrease macular edema and improve or maintain visual acuity with minimal damage to macular retinal tissue, which has important visual function.
