Prognosis of the multiwavelength krypton lasers in treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Objective To investigate the long term effects of multiwavelength krypton lasers for diabetic retinopathy.Methods A total of 451 eyes of 278 cases suffering from nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR),preproliferative diabetic retinopathy (PPDR)and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were treated with local,quadrantal,panretinal photocoagulation or extra panretinal photocoagulation.Visual acuity,intraocular pressure,fundus examination and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed before photocoagulation and 3,6,12 and 24 months after photocoagulation.Eyes with remaining leakage of dye from abnormal vessels,non-perfusion areas or neovascularization were complemented with further photocoagulation.Results During the 2-year follow up,in NPDR group,218 eyes (86.1％) got stable visual acuity,5 eyes had the vitreous haemorrhages,and it were gradually absorbed.In PPDR group,93 eyes got stable vision (74.4％),2 eyes were treated with vitrectomy due to vitreous haemorrhages.In PDR group,40 eyes (54.8％) got stable vision,4 eyes were treated with vitrectomy,Photocoagulation can reduce the possibilities of vitreous haemorrhage and was helpful for vitrectomies.Conclusion Appropriate photocoagulation techniques should be selected due to the severity of diabetic retinopathy.Cases with less severe,good visual acuity have the favourable outcome. Key words: Lasers, multiwavelength, krypton;  Photocoagulation, panretinal; Retinopathy, diabetic