[Indications for coagulation in diabetic maculopathy]

Macular changes of 333 eyes of 266 diabetic patients were analized regarding number of microaneurysms, area of intraretinal lipids and hermorrhages and the amount of leckage and capillary occlusion in fluorescein angiography. The changes were observed in a central and peripheral area centered around the fovea. The distribution of the changes observed were correlated with the visual acuity of the patients. Only the number of peripheral microaneurysms and the presence of foveal intraretinal edema correlated with a reduction in visual acuity. These parameters are therefore clinical indicators for the severity of diabetic maculopathy. Regarding the visual acuity after a minimal follow up of six months the presence of foveal intraretinal edema was the most important factor with a high risk of short term visual loss. The presence of fovealmacular edema might therefore be the most important indicator for macular photocoagulation treatment.