[Dye laser coagulation of diabetic maculopathy]

Eighty eyes of 48 patients were followed after laser photocoagulation (615 nm) of the macula because of diabetic macular edema. The follow-up time was at least 6 months (average 10.2 months). The morphological status improved in more than 60% of eyes with focal edema but in only 40% of eyes with diffuse macula edema. Improvement of distance visual acuity was obtained in 35% of the eyes, mostly in those with good baseline acuity (greater than or equal to 0.7). The fraction with improved visual acuity decreased to 13% in eyes with a baseline acuity of 0.6 or less. Similar results were found for near visual acuity. The discrepancies between morphological and functional improvement are still unclear.