[Personal experience in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy using an argon laser]

The authors evaluate a group of 44 eyes treated by panretinal photocoagulation by means of an argon laser on account of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Complete regression of neovascularizations was achieved in 64%, partial regression in 23%, treatment failed in 13%. The resulting visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 57%, at least stabilization of visual acuity was achieved in 80%, the mean follow-up period being 2.3 years. The results of treatment with an argon laser was analyzed also separately for proliferative diabetic retinopathies of different grades. The authors confirm that advanced stages of proliferative diabetic retinopathy respond more poorly to panphotocoagulation and explain this by an assumed certain grade of autonomy in very advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Therapeutic failure was observed only in a group of eyes with very advanced proliferative retinopathy. The authors also confirm the observation, that if a positive response to laser therapy develops within 3-6 weeks, this is a favourable prognostic sign. In neovascularizations of the retina they observed a more favourable response to panphotocoagulation than in neovascularizations on the disc of the optic nerve.