Lasers in Diabetic Retinopathy
Dr Debdulal Chakraborty
Consultant
Vitreoretina service
Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya
Guwahati
E mail devdc@rediffmail.com
Tel no 0361 2228921
Fax no 0361 2228878
n Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of acquired blindness under the age of 65 yrs.
n A large percentage of this blindness can be prevented with proper examination and Rx by ophthalmologists
Vision threatening complications of diabetic retinopathy include macular edema, haemorrhage, retinal detachment, and neovascular glaucoma
Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy
n 18% of patients with DM for 5 years
n 98% of patients with DM for 15 years
Unfortunately, patients who are not properly referred for evaluation and management or those who, for any reason, fail to get proper care from an ophthalmologist, are at the greatest risk of vision loss.
n German ophthalmologist Gerd Meyer-Schwickerath first used photocoagulation for the eye.
n He experimented with natural sunlight and
a heliostat and then a carbon arc lamp before the xenon photocoagulator was
developed
n This light source would later be replaced by the first ophthalmic lasers
n Thus far photocoagulation has remained the only established non-invasive mode of Rx for DME & PDR that has not reached a stage warranting surgery.
n LASER is an acronym for Light Amplication for Stimulated Emission of Radiation
n Laser light is Monochromatic & Coherent
n Therefore it can be pointed at one spot on the retina very accurately.
Argon green (514 nm) or double freq NdYAG (532 nm) are the preferred laser wavelengths for treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
Treatment goals in PDR
Decrease complications of diabetic retinopathy such as rubeosis, vitreous hemorrhage, tractional and combined retinal detachment
Treatment goals in CSME
Resolution of retinal thickening & in some cases absorption of hard exudates.
Indications of laser
n Focal / grid laser – indicated in CSME
n Panretinal laser – Indicated in PDR with high risk characteristics
NVD
¼ to ⅓ disc area
NVD
associated with Pre ret / vit haem
NVE
½ disc area with Pre ret / vit haem
Rubeosis iris
Laser settings in PRP
n Wavelength
Argon
green, Double freq NdYAG, Dye yellow, red or diode laser
n Duration
- 0.1 – 0.5 sec
n Spot size – 300- 500µ
n Intensity -
moderately intense burn
n No of burns / day - 900
Laser settings in Focal/ Grid
n Wavelength
Argon green, Double freq NdYAG,
dye yellow, red or diode laser
n Duration
- 0.1 sec
n Retinal
spot size -50-200µ
n Intensity
– light retinal burn
n No
of spots – variable
Panretinal photocoagulation
n Anterior edge should extend beyond the equator
n Posterior edge includes an area 500µ nasal to optic disc margin and 3000µ temporal above & below foveal center.
n Laser may extend within vascular arcades for retinal NV within 3000µ from centre
n When the compliance for follow-up is doubtful, laser may be performed in eyes with PDR without HRC.
n Photocoagulation of CSME (if coexistent) is done 4 weeks prior to PRP or along with first session of PRP since scatter photocoagulation may worsen macular edema.
Various Lenses are used for laser such as mainster standard, high magnification etc
Post-laser follow-up
n There are no post op physical restrictions
n The first routine follow-up visit is scheduled for 4-6 wks following completion of PRP
n Individual variation in examination may be warranted
Causes for Additional laser are-
n Multifactorial
n Individualised
n Enlarging NV
n Increasing activity of NV
n freq / extent of vit haem
Additional laser may be done anterior to, posterior to or in between previous laser
Treatment at any given sitting of more than 1000 burns is not recommended due to higher risk for the iatrogenic development of CME, choroidal effusion, exudative retinal detachment, and angle closure.
Patients are told that there would be mild discomfort following the treatment session and also instructed to return immediately if severe pain occurs.
Mechanism of action of laser
Side effects of photocoagulation
n Inadvertent foveal burn
n Secondary choroidal neovascularization
n Exacerbation of edema
n Delayed dark adaptation
n Mild restriction of peripheral visual fields.
n Secondary RD due to "heavy treatment"
n Vitreous hemorrhage from NV during laser
Before starting laser,
n One should try to make it a point to start the laser sessions once the blood sugar and lipid levels are well controlled.
n The laser efficacy increases manifold in a systemically stable patient.
Long term metabolic control results in decreased incidence & progression of DR
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