RISK-FACTORS FOR CILIOCHOROIDAL EFFUSION AFTER PANRETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION

Purpose: To determine the incidence, duration, and risk factors for ci liochoroidal effusion after panretinal photocoagulation. Methods: Thir ty-nine consecutive patients with diabetic retinopathy underwent ultra sound biomicroscopy of both eyes to image the ciliochoroidal space imm ediately before and 1 day after unilateral argon-green panretinal phot ocoagulation. Imaging was repeated on days 3, 7, and 14 in patients in whom ciliochoroidal effusion developed. Results: Low-lying ciliochoro idal effusions were imaged in 23 (59%) of 39 eyes. Of 23 eyes, effusio ns resolved in 6 (26%), 12 (52%), and 5 (22%) eyes by 3, 7, and 14 day s, respectively, The number of laser applications (P = 0.02), shorter axial length (P = 0.01), and percentage of retinal surface area treate d (P = 0.02) were associated with the development of effusion. Age, se x, eye, type and duration of diabetes, presence of systemic hypertensi on, location of treatment, previous panretinal photocoagulation or cat aract surgery, retinal surface area treated, and mean blood pressure b efore photocoagulation were not associated with effusion. All fellow, untreated eyes remained effusion-free. Conclusion: Ciliochoroidal effu sion develops commonly after panretinal photocoagulation. Limiting the number of laser applications and the percentage of retinal surface ar ea treated reduces the likelihood of this complication. Eyes with shor ter axial lengths are at higher risk.