Mrw. Ulbig et al., COLOR CONTRAST SENSITIVITY AND PATTERN ELECTRORETINOGRAPHIC FINDINGS AFTER DIODE AND ARGON-LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION IN DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY, American journal of ophthalmology, 117(5), 1994, pp. 583-588
The retinal depth at which photocoagulation is maximal varies with wav
elength. We compared visual function of eyes undergoing photocoagulati
on by the near-infrared diode laser to the argon green laser. We treat
ed 14 patients with diabetic retinopathy requiring bilateral panretina
l photocoagulation with the diode laser on the right eye and the argon
system on the left eye. Before and after treatment visual acuity, cen
tral and peripheral color contrast sensitivity, and pattern electro-re
tinograms were recorded. No difference was noted in the clinical respo
nse or visual acuity outcome, but a tendency was observed for less dec
line in color contrast sensitivity and pattern electroretinogram recor
dings after diode laser photocoagulation. Although P values (.05 to .5
) did not reach significance, a mean of 8.4 of 14 patients per test ha
d better test results after diode laser treatment. Diode laser photoco
agulation seems to be a viable alternative to argon laser treatment an
d may be a more gentle mode of treatment.