DIODE-LASER (810 NM) VERSUS ARGON GREEN (514 NM) MODIFIED GRID PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR DIFFUSE DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA

Objective: To compare argon green (514 nm) versus diode laser (810 nm) modified grid laser photocoagulation treatment in diffuse diabetic ma cular edema (DDME). Design: Randomized, prospective clinical trial. Pa rticipants: Patients with DDME and diabetic retinopathy of fewer than two highrisk characteristics in severity, no previous laser photocoagu lation for diabetic macular edema, and no other ocular condition that could interfere with assessment of treatment results. Intervention: On e hundred seventy-one eyes of 91 patients were randomized to either ar gon green (514 nm) or diode laser (810 nm) modified grid laser photoco agulation for DDME. Follow-up was conducted for a minimum of 12 months (16.55 +/- 3.52 months), Retreatment was performed for residual edema involving the foveal avascular zone. Main Outcome Results: Visual imp rovement, visual loss, reduction-elimination of macular edema, and the number of supplemental treatments. Results: A comparison of visual im provement, visual loss, reduction-elimination of macular edema, and th e number of supplemental treatments showed no statistical difference b etween the groups (P > 0.05 for all groups), Reduction-elimination of DDME was better in the group without cystoid macular edema than the gr oup with cystoid macular edema, but visual outcome appeared to be simi lar in both groups. History of hypertension or poor initial visual acu ity (less than or equal to 20/80) at entry into the study had no signi ficant effect on the outcome. However, the patients without systemic v ascular disease have improved more than those with systemic vascular d isease regardless of the type of the laser used. Conclusions: Diode la ser (810 nm) modified grid laser photocoagulation for DDME is equivale nt to argon green (514 nm), and patients without systemic vascular dis ease are more likely to improve after laser treatment with either wave length.