Variability of IOP following laser photocoagulation used in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in most industrialized countries. This study was undertaken to assess the variability of IOP following laser photocoagulation used in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.Methods: This study was conducted at Department of Opthalmology, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur from June 2015 to December 2016. This study was intended to see the onset and duration of intraocular pressure spikes in diabetic retinopathy patients after green laser photocoagulation (532 nm) (Nidek). Forty patients were followed for next 3 months. The data was analysed by using SPSS version 15.0. Chi-square test and T test was used.Results: Out of 40 patients, 2 (5%) had background Diabetic retinopathy (DR) with maculopathy, 10 (25%) having pre-proliferative DR, 28 (70%) having proliferative DR. Out of 2 BDR patients, 1 (50%) developed immediate post laser angle closure (Schaffer's grade 1) which persisted for 3 days and another had shown no change in angle structure. Out of 10 PPDR patients, no one developed post laser angle closure (0%). Out of 28 PDR patients, 6 (21.4%) had post laser angle closure which included 4 patients who had angle closure before laser, that means around 7% patients developed angle closure in this group. Among these 2 patients, 1 developed angle closure immediately (Schaffer's grade 1) and another developed the same 1 day later and this angle closure (Schaffer's grade 1) remained for 3 days.Conclusions: Laser photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy patients can cause increase in IOP.