Non-stereo photographic screening after panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Compared...

135 patients treated with panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy were examined in order to detect 7 specific fibrovascular lesions after treatment. Two presumptive methods for long-term follow-up were evaluated and compared, i.e. slit-lamp biomicroscopy enhanced by a 60 D lens and reading from two non-stereo photographs of the posterior pole. Two observers repeated their examinations with respective methods. Comparison of the methods with respect to detecting ability of the fibrovascular lesions showed no significant disagreement except in some eyes with fibrous tissue on the optic disc where new vessels were better detected with the slit-lamp method (P less than 0.001). There was no difference between the methods with respect to the intra- and inter-observer variability. Twenty to 30 patients could be diagnosed per hour with the photographic method compared to 5-6 patients with the slit-lamp. Two non-stereo photographs of the posterior pole can be recommended as a safe and time-saving method for objective documentation and long-time follow-up after panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.