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Corresponding Author

Eslam Mahmoud Abdou Alharif

Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Subthreshold (micropulse) laser is an effective modality in the treatment of diabetic macular edema that avoids possible complications of conventional laser photocoagulation and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. Regardless of where the laser is applied, the retinal pigment epithelium is crucial for repair of both outer and inner blood retinal barriers.

Aim: To evaluate both anatomical and functional outcomes of direct application of subthreshold (micropulse) laser to the edematous macula versus to the peripheral healthy retina.

Patient and methods: This prospective interventional comparative randomized study was carried out on 30 eyes with diabetic macular edema divided into two groups. Group A included 15 eyes who were treated by direct application of subthreshold micropulse laser to the edematous macula. While group B included 15 eyes who were treated by direct application of subthreshold micropulse laser to the peripheral healthy retina.

Results: The study revealed that peripherally treated group (group B) showed rapid improvement of the mean central macular thickness and mean best corrected visual acuity from the first week and first month respectively in contrast with centrally treated group (group A). While both groups showed significant improvement of both mean central macular thickness and mean best corrected visual acuity at 6 months of follow up.

Conclusions: Direct application of subthreshold (micropulse) laser to the peripheral healthy retina is at least as effective as direct application of direct application of subthreshold (micropulse) laser to the centrally affected macula, however, peripherally treated patients showed rapid improvement from the first week of treatment.

Keywords

subthreshold micropulse laser, DME, RPE, OCT, CMT.

Subject Area

Ophthalmology

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