Elsevier

Ophthalmology

Volume 85, Issue 1, January 1978, Pages 82-106
Ophthalmology

Photocoagulation Treatment of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: The Second Report of Diabetic Retinopathy Study Findings

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(78)35693-1Get rights and content

Data from the Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) show that photocoagulation, as used in the Study, reduced the rate of development of severe visual loss and inhibited the progression of retinopathy. These beneficial effects were noted to some degree in all those stages of diabetic retinopathy which were included in the Study. Some deleterious effects of treatment were also found, including losses of visual acuity and constriction of peripheral visual field. The risk of these harmful effects was considered acceptable in eyes with retinopathy in the moderate or severe proliferative stage when the risk of severe visual loss without treatment was great. In early proliferative or severe nonproliferative retinopathy, when the risk of severe visual loss without treatment was less, the risks of harmful treatment effects assumed greater importance. In these earlier stages, DRS findings have not led to a clear choice between prompt treatment and deferral of treatment unless and until progression to a more severe stage occurs.

The purpose of this interim report is to present the data on which these conclusions are based. More detailed reports of Study findings will appear in the future.

References (6)

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Presented at the Eighty-second Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Dallas, Oct 2–6, 1977.

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