[Treatment of diabetic retinopathy using panretinal laser coagulation]

The author presents an account of his experience with panretinal photocoagulation by means of greenish-blue light of an argon laser in diabetics. He evaluates the technique of treatment. In a group of 156 eyes of 103 patients 1-18 months after photocoagulation with a mean follow-up period of nine months the author compares the development of visual acuity after treatment. Based on these findings he describes the success and asset of treatment for the patient. After one year in 62% of 63 investigated eyes deterioration of visual acuity was arrested, in 16% improvement was achieved. After one and a half year 64% of 33 followed up patients were stabilized, in 12% the visual acuity was still better than at the onset of treatment. Panretinal photocoagulation by means of an argon laser can be considered at present the most effective treatment of diabetic retinopathy.