[Risks associated with photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (author's transl)]

In 185 diabetics with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (d.r.) involving both eyes symmetrically we analyzed the indication for photocoagulation in borderline cases in which, despite complications (such as inducement of vitreoretinal retraction), the beneficial effect of photocoagulation outweighs the likelihoood of a spontaneous deleterious course. In stage 2 of proliferative d.r. the risks associated with photocoagulation (i.e., factors likely to cause traction phenomena) were found to be extensive coagulation of intraretinal and preretinal hemorrhages, and coagulation of feeder vessels as well as of fundus areas located behind vitreal hemorrhages. In stage 3, procoagulative risk factors in the morphological picture comprised the existence of several vitreoretinal insertions with tent-shaped traction folds and extensive preretinal and subvitreal hemorrhages.