[Treatment of diabetic retinopathy by laser photocoagulation (author's transl)]

Recent advances in our knowledge concerning spontaneous changes in diabetic retinopathy, and improved classification of clinical forms due to fluorescein angiography, have established precise indications for the use of the laser for retinal photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy. Controlled, randomized, multicentre studies have conclusively demonstrated the value of the techniques used and results obtained: indirect photocoagulation of the ischaemic zones (pan-retinal photocoagulation) can now effectively preserve the future vision of patients with preproliferating of proliferating retinopathy. The value of photocoagulation in the fight against diabetic oedematous maculopathy appears to be less conclusive, though early elective therapy for juxtafoveolar microvascular lesions appears to be a significant advance.