Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of 670 nm irradiation in patients with diabetic macular edema. In several studies, positive effects of red/near-infrared irradiation showed in a range of ocular diseases such as macular degeneration, macular edema, and retinitis pigmentosa. This study was conducted on forty five eyes of 26 diabetic patients with macular edema between the ages of 51 and 80.Measurement of visual acuity and slit lamp examination, funduscopy, and optical coherence tomography were performed in all subjects. None of the patients had proliferative retinopathy. We used a portable LED device (Warp 10, Quantum Devices) for treatment. Patients held this device at a distance of 3 cm from their eyes for 240 seconds for three months. Full ophthalmic examinations were repeated 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment.After 3 months, the mean visual acuity improved from 0.44 ± 0.38 log MAR to 0.27 ± 0.24 log MAR and vision increased by 1.52 ± 1.16 lines post treatment (р<0.001). The mean central macula thickness decreased from 381.49 ± 144.40 μm to 359.72 ± 128.84 μm (р=0.050). In patients with mild and moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, the mean central retinal thickness decreased 52.06 ± 67.78 μm and 39.27 ± 44.69 μm, respectively, but patients with severe type showed an increase of 34.93 ± 65.65 μm in the mean central retinal thickness (р<0.001). Also, the severity of macular edema had no effect on final outcomes (р>0.05). Photobiomodulation can positively affect diabetic macular edema, especially in patients with mild to moderate diabetic retinopathy.
Highlights
According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports, the global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 was 8.4% in 2017
Diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy are the main causes of visual impairment in these patients affecting their activities and lives [2,3]
Chronic hyperglycemia causes the generation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), activation of protein kinase C, upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial dysfunction, and increased vascular permeability and chronic inflammation [4,5]
Summary
According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports, the global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 was 8.4% in 2017. Diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy are the main causes of visual impairment in these patients affecting their activities and lives [2,3]. Chronic hyperglycemia causes the generation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), activation of protein kinase C, upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial dysfunction, and increased vascular permeability and chronic inflammation [4,5]. Treatment modalities include laser photocoagulation and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs with aggressive control of glycemia. These methods have been effective against macular edema, they have disadvantages such as decreased vision in some patients, a need for repeated injections, and high costs [6,7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
