Laser Therapy and Visual Acuity in Patients with PDR, BRVO and CRVO

Laser therapy prevents complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVR), but its effect on visual acuity is controversial. This study evaluated the effect of laser on visual acuity in these patients. This interventional study conducted before–after treatment and evaluated 96 patients (133 eyes). After laser therapy the patients were followed for a period ranged between 3 weeks to six months and visual acuity based on Snellen chart was assessed. 101 proliferative diabetic retinopathy, 16 branch retinal vein occlusion and 16 central retinal vein occlusion affected eyes were evaluated. This study evaluated 114 eyes of diabetic patients, 84 eyes of HTN patients and 46 eyes of hyperlipidemic patients. The means of corrected visual loss in PDR patients was 31.81+34.37 and 37.67 + 37.01 percent before and after laser therapy (p<0.05). It was concluded from this study that laser therapy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients does not cause visual improvement in short time.