[Photocoagulation in diabetes mellitus--our results]

Fifty six diabetic patients aged 25-74 were under ophthalmological control in the period 1984-87. The mean time of duration of diabetes amounted 14 years. In 29 persons diabetes was insulinodependent and in the remaining insulino-independent. In 11 eyes the fundus exhibited diabetic changes with characteristics of angiopathy, in 43 eyes--of exudative retinopathy and in 58 eyes of proliferative retinopathy. Photocoagulation with a xenon-arc lamp of the diabetic changes was performed in all the patients. In dependence of the extent of the changes one used either a focused or a panretinal photocoagulation. In the majority of cases one could stop the progress of the diabetic changes on the fundus and preserve a fair visual acuity.