Ocular Pulse Amplitude after Panretinal Photocoagulation in Normotensive Eyes with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of panretinal laser photocoagulation on ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in normotensive eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Prospectively, we performed unilateral argon laser panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in 30 patients with diabetes mellitus type II and previously untreated bilateral proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Before and 7 and 30 days after the treatment, OPA was measured using dynamic contour tonometer. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated contralateral eyes, laser photocoagulation led to a reduction of OPA. Ocular pulse amplitude did not significantly differ in photocoagulated eyes 7 days after the treatment, but there was a significant difference in OPA 30 days after the treatment. The decrease in OPA values was 15% 7 days after PRP and 40% 30 days after PRP. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular pulse amplitude reduction after PRP indirectly informs us about choriocapillary closure, already reported in previous studies.