Effect of macular photocoagulation on visual acuity of Omani patients with clinically significant macular edema

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of macular laser treatment on the visual acuity (VA) of Omani diabetic patients with clinically significant macular edema (CSME). Visual outcome was also correlated with duration and control of diabetes and presence or absence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

This is a retrospective noncomparative cohort study involving 101 eyes of 72 Omani diabetic patients. Change in VA was determined using Snellen's VA chart. The mean duration of follow-up was approximately 21 months (range, 16-24 months).

29.7% of the patients maintained their vision, 35.6% showed improvement, whereas 34.7% showed a decrease in their vision. Positive visual outcome showed a statistically significant direct relationship with tight control of diabetes and absence of hypertension and an inverse relationship with the duration of diabetes. Presence of hyperlipedemia did not show a statistically significant relationship with positive visual outcome. However, it showed a trend to better visual outcome in the absence of hyperlipedemia. Peak incidence of macular edema was seen at the age of 52.3 years.

Macular photocoagulation was found to be an effective method of treatment for CSME among Omani diabetic patients, which has resulted in a positive visual outcome in 65.3% of the patients (stable and improved vision). Effective control of diabetes, duration of diabetes, and hypertension are the factors which influence the postlaser visual outcome.