Efficacy of navigated laser treatment in diffuse diabetic macular edema

Diabetes mellitus is an important medical and social issue worldwide. Diabetic macular edema may occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy. Diffuse macular edema is caused by extensive capillary dysfunction and is a prognostically unfavorable complication of diabetes mellitus, leading to persistent and significant impairment of visual functions. Purpose: to study the efficacy and safety of navi-gated subthreshold micropulse laser treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema as monotherapy. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the medical reports of 11 patients (19 eyes) with diffuse diabetic macular edema was performed. Before treatment: best-corrected visual acuity was 0.6 (0.40; 0.90); central retinal sensitivity – 21.50 (18.40; 23.30) dB; central retinal thickness – 286.0 (265.0; 318.0) µm; macular volume – 7.99 (7.59; 8.58). In all cases, patients received monotherapy using subthreshold micropulse laser exposure on the Navilas 577s navigation laser system. Results. After surgery: best-corrected visual acuity in a month was 0.60 (0.45; 0.90), in 3 months – 0.70 (0.45; 0.90), in 6 months – 0.70 (0.45; 0.80); central retinal sensitivity in a month was 22.00 (21.00; 23.50) dB, in 3 months – 21.70 (21.00; 23.50), in 6 months 21.30 (20.00; 23.20); central retinal thickness in a month was 274.0 (250.0; 315.0), in 3 months – 275.0 (255.0; 315.0), in 6 months – 301.0 (268.0; 319.0); macular volume – in a month was 7.79 (7.70; 8.36), after 3 months – 7.78 (7.70; 8.09), after 6 months – 7.90 (7.76; 8.26). The most positive result was observed 1 month after treatment, with the effect lasting up to 3 months. Conclusion. The use of navigated subthreshold micropulse laser treatment on the Navilas 577 device has shown its effectiveness and safety in treating diabetic macular edema as monotherapy. In connection with the data obtained, it is optimal to repeat the treatment in 3 months.