K. Rohrschneider et al., Scanning laser ophthalmoscope fundus perimetry before and after laser photocoagulation for clinically significant diabetic macular edema, AM J OPHTH, 129(1), 2000, pp. 27-32
PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate functional and funduscopic changes after
laser treatment in patients with diabetic retinopathy and clinically signi
ficant macular edema by scanning laser ophthalmoscope fundus perimetry.
METHODS: Thirty eyes of 30 patients with clinically significant macular ede
ma as a result of diabetic retinopathy were prospectively examined before a
nd at least 3 months after focal laser treatment with automatic fundus thre
shold perimetry using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Thresholds of ligh
t sensitivity were compared with age-corrected normal values and correlated
with corrected visual acuity and subjective appraisal of visual function.
RESULTS: In 30 eyes, fundus perimetry lasted for 10.5 +/- 2.1 (mean +/- SD)
minutes with 322 +/- 67 stimulus presentations for each eye. Whereas eight
eyes remained stable (< +/-1 dB change), 15 improved concerning mean devia
tion (MD) (3.1 +/- 1.7 dB) after focal laser treatment. Stability of fixati
on remained the same after focal laser treatment (0.75 +/- 0.57 degree). La
ser scars showed marked loss of function (MD > 13 dB).
CONCLUSIONS: Although light sensitivity was reduced in areas of macular ede
ma, there was no correlation between the amount of edema and visual functio
n. Fundus perimetry allows the creation of exact maps of retinal dysfunctio
n before and after laser treatment. It may help in making management decisi
ons in diabetic and nondiabetic patients by offering a sensitive parameter
in addition to visual acuity. (Am J Ophthalmol 2000; 129:27-32. (C) 2000 by
Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.)