Korean J Ophthalmol.  2014 Oct;28(5):408-416. 10.3341/kjo.2014.28.5.408.

The Effect of Pattern Scan Laser Photocoagulation on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Optic Nerve Morphology in Diabetic Retinopathy

• Lee DE
• Lee JH
• Lim HW
• Kang MH
• Cho HY
• Seong M

• KMID: 2344265
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2014.28.5.408

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effect of pattern scan laser (PASCAL) photocoagulation on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, central macular thickness (CMT), and optic nerve morphology in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
METHODS
Subjects included 35 eyes for the PASCAL group and 49 eyes for a control group. Peripapillary RNFL thickness, cup-disc area ratio and CMT were measured before PASCAL photocoagulation and at 2 and 6 months after PASCAL photocoagulation in the PASCAL or control groups.
RESULTS
The average RNFL thickness had increased by 0.84 microm two months after and decreased by 0.4 microm six months after PASCAL photocoagulation compared to baseline, but these changes were not significant (p = 0.83, 0.39). The cup-disc area ratio was unchanged after PASCAL photocoagulation. CMT increased by 18.11 microm (p = 0.048) at two months compared to baseline thickness, and partially recovered to 11.82 microm (p = 0.11) at six months in the PASCAL group.
CONCLUSIONS
PASCAL photocoagulation may not cause significant change in the peripapillary RNFL thickness, CMT, and optic nerve morphology in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Keyword

Diabetic retinopathy; Pattern scan laser photocoagulation; Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Diabetic Retinopathy/physiopathology/*surgery
Female
Fluorescein Angiography
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Laser Coagulation/*methods
Lasers, Solid-State/*therapeutic use
Macula Lutea/*pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Nerve Fibers/*pathology
Optic Nerve/*pathology
Prospective Studies
Retinal Ganglion Cells/*pathology
Tomography, Optical Coherence
Visual Acuity/physiology