[Recurrence of vasoproliferative activity after photocoagulation. A fluorescence-angiographic study]

Although photocoagulation is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, it slows down or, in favourable cases, prevents further progression. In order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, photocoagulation has to include the ischaemic mid-periphery of the retina. Following a latency period of varying duration during which no further progression is evident either on ophthalmoscopic examination or fluorescein angiography, recurrence of neovascularization is observed in some cases. The therapeutic management entails additional panretinal photocoagulation, in particular at the periphery. The authors report on 75 patients who, following panretinal photocoagulation, were treated by additional argon-laser coagulation.