Photocoagulation therapy of proliferative retinopathy in young onset type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes

Fifty-one young onset Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy before the age of 25 years were treated over a 3 year period by xenon photocoagulation. A few were treated additionally by argon laser, cryo- or diathermy-coagulation. The results of therapy with respect to both fundus disease and visual acuity were highly dependent on the fundus changes at the beginning of photocoagulation. Ater 3 years, 65% of eyes with peripheral neovascularization alone did not develop any new vessels. In contrast, only 20% with disc new vessels did not develop further neovascularization. Vitreous haemorrhage further reduced this percentage. The presence of blindness 3 years after treatment was rare in eyes with peripheral neovascularization alone (3%). However, 52% of eyes with disc neovascularization and vitreous haemorrhages were blind 3 years later.