Single-Session Low Duration Panretinal Photocoagulation Using Conventional Laser on Central Subfield Macular Thickness in Diabetic Retinopathy

To compare the change in central subfield macular thickness following single-session and multiple-session laser panretinal photocoagulation in subjects with diabetic retinopathy.

A single-center, randomized controlled trial study was performed on 28 eyes of 16 patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Eyes were randomly assigned for treatment with panretinal photocoagulation performed either in single-session or multiple-session divided into three sessions during two-week period. Central subfield macular thickness was quantified using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and changes at four weeks follow-up were compared to the baseline measurement.

Mean baseline central subfield macular thickness of 12 eyes underwent single-session and 16 eyes underwent multiple-session panretinal photocoagulation were 342.91+109.51 micrometers and 354+171.79 micrometers (p> .05), respectively. Mean post laser central subfield macular thickness in the single-session group was 305.83+ 81.95 micrometers and 389.75 + 229.51 micrometers in the multiple-session group (p > .05). Mean central subfield macular thickness changes four weeks post laser was 37.08 + 94.21 micrometers for eyes treated with single-session and -35.75+123.62 micrometers for the multiple-session treated eyes (p = .101).

There was no significant difference in change of central subfield macular thickness at four weeks post laser from treatment with single-session and multiple-session panretinal photocoagulation. Single-session panretinal photocoagulation can be used as effective multiple-session panretinal photocoagulation for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.