[Long-term study following panretinal argon laser coagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy]

Fifty-eight Type I diabetics were followed up for a minimum of 5 years after panretinal argon laser coagulation in both eyes for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. During the course of this study, 18 patients were excluded because thorough follow-up examinations according to our systematic approach had become impossible. The results of this study indicate that successful photocoagulation depends essentially on the initial findings, on the type and extent of treatment as well as on regular and thorough follow-up examinations.