Comparison of therapeutic effect of micro-pulse laser and conventional laser on diabetic macular edema

Abstract

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of micro-pulse laser, single-spot laser and pattern scan laser for diabetic macular edema(DME). Methods Total of 120 eyes of 60 patients who were confirmed as preproliferative diabetic retinopathy or IV phase proliferative diabetic retinopathy complicated with clinically significant macular edema were included. These patients were randomized divided into the micro-pulse group with 40 eyes of 20 patients, the single-spot laser group with 40 eyes of 20 patients and the pattern scan laser group with 40 eyes of 20 patients.The patients in micro-pulse group underwent micro-pulse laser therapy in macular region , the single-spot laser group underwent macular laser grid photocoagulation therapy by single-spot laser, the pattern scan laser group underwent macular laser grid photocoagulation therapy by pattern scan laser.The BCVA, central macular thickness(CMT) and mean sensitivity(MS) of all patients were examined before and after the treatment. The changes in BCVA, CMT and MS at 6 months after treatment were observed and compared among the groups. Results At 6 months after the treatment, the BCVA of micro-pulse group increased more significantly compared to that before treatment(P 0.05). At 6 months after the treatment, the CMT of micro-pulse group, single-spot laser group and pattern scan laser group decreased significantly compared to those before treatment(P 0.05). At 6 months after the treatment, the MS of micro-pulse group increased significantly compared to that before treatment(P<0.05), the MS of single-spot laser group and pattern scan laser group decreased significantly compared to those before treatment(P<0.05), the MS of the three groups showed statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Micro-pulse laser, single-spot laser and pattern scan laser therapies on DME can effectively reduce CMT and alleviate macular edema, micro-pulse laser therapy on DME also increase BCVA and MS, and improve visual function.Single-spot laser and pattern scan laser therapies can not improve visual function. Key words: Macular edema, diabetic; Micro-pulse laser; Laser coagulation; Effect, therapeutic