Short-term effect on fixation and NEI-VFQ-25 of panretinal photocoagulation for type 2 diabetic retinopathy

To investigate the short-term effects of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) on visual function, ocular structure, and vision-related quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy (DR), and to identify prognostic factors associated with postoperative outcomes.

Fixation stability (FS) improved at 1 month. Macular retinal thickness (MRT) increased after treatment, whereas peripheral retinal thickness (RT) decreased at 1 week and remained stable thereafter. Choroidal thickness (CT) increased at 1 week, returning to baseline by 1 month. Choroidal vascular volume (CVV) decreased at 1 month. Foveal choroidal vascular index (CVI) decreased from baseline to 1 week, persisting to 1 month; peripheral CVI decreased at 1 week with no subsequent change. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) scores declined postoperatively. Baseline peripheral RT was associated with postoperative FS, whereas baseline peripheral CT and P2 were associated with postoperative FS improvement.

PRP improved fixation stability in DR patients, accompanied by transient retinal and choroidal structural changes. Baseline peripheral RT and CT may predict postoperative fixation prognosis. The vision-related quality of life impairment induced by PRP in the short term underscores the necessity of comprehensive individualized regimens for clinical DR management.