Evaluation of ocular and periocular elasticity after panretinal photocoagulation: an ultrasonic elastography study

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of argon laser panretinal photocoagulation on ocular and periocular ultrasound elastography values in diabetic retinopathy. Also, we wanted to test the applicability of ultrasound elastography in ophthalmological practice.

This is a prospective cross-sectional study comparing proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients (study group) who had undergone panretinal photocoagulation and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients (control group). There were 15 participants (11 males and 4 females) in the study group and 16 participants (10 males and 6 females) in the control group. The ultrasound elastography measurements were done with the LOGİQ E9 Ultrasound Elastography.

The elastography values of vitreous, retrobulbar fat, and optic nerve were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). But, the mean retina-choroid-scleral elastography value of the study group was higher than that of the control group, which indicates increased hardness (p = 0.002).

The argon laser panretinal photocoagulation decreases elasticity of the retina-choroid-sclera complex. The ultrasound elastography technique, that gives reproducible and consistent values, could be used effectively in ophthalmological practice.