Selective retina therapy (SRT) for diabetes macular edema in Korean patients: 12‐months results

Abstract

PurposeSelective Retina Therapy can induce proliferation and migration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells at SRT‐irradiated areas without damaging photoreceptor cells. We demonstrate 1‐year clinical results of SRT for clinically significant diabetic macular edema (DME) in Korean patients.MethodsProspective nonrandomized interventional case series study. Twenty‐three eyes of 21 patients with clinically significant DME were treated with SRT and followed up for 12 months. After analysis of the correlation between the RM value and FFA visibility, the sensitivity and specificity of reflectometry was calculated. We measured best‐corrected ETDRS visual acuity (BCVA). Microperimetry was employed to measure the macular sensitivity within the central 10° visual field, and the central macular thickness (CMT) and maximum macular thickness (MMT) were measured at every 3 months. Patients were considered for retreatment at 3 months if there was no decrease in CMT.ResultsThirteen of 23 eyes were included for the analysis of 1‐year results. BCVA improved from 69.5 letters at baseline to 76.23 letters at 6 months and 71.3 letters at 1 year. Although change in CMT did not demonstrate a significant change at two‐time points, MMT were decreased from 446.7 ± 78.4 μm to 423.5 ± 76.5 μm, 408.5 ± 59.6 at 6 months, 12 months (all p < 0.05) and mean macular sensitivity were increased from 21.5 ± 3.1 dB to 22.9 ± 2.4 dB, 23.2 ± 2.5 dB respectively. (p = 0.009, p = 0.001). Additional SRT was performed for nine eyes (69.2%).ConclusionsIn 9 of 23 eyes (39.1%), BCVA was maintained or improved by SRT monotherapy during 1 year follow‐up period. The improvement in maximum macular thickness (MMT) and macular sensitivity support that SRT treatment could be effective and safe modality in Korean patients with clinically significant DME.