Photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy: focal treatment or partial retinal ablation?

Diabetic retinopathies treated by two different techniques were followed photographically and fluoro-angiographically. With the argon laser we treated the fluoro-angiographical lesions (210 eyes, follow-up 6 to 29 months) and with the xenon arc we made a barrage around the posterior pole without treating the lesions specifically (54 eyes, follow-up 12 to 36 months). In fact, we compared two different techniques and not two types of photocoagulators. After reviewing our results we may conclude that widespread coagulation (indirect method) is better than the topical treatment alone, but the combination of both techniques is the most suitable method.