Objective To evaluate the single-use of laser photocoagulation (LP) and the combined-use of laser photocoagulation plus intravitreal triamcinolone (LP+IVTA) for diabetic macular edema (DME) in terms of clinical therapeutic effect and safety. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, CBM, CNKI and Wanfang Data were searched from the date of their establishment to September 2011, and the references of all included studies were also traced, so as to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on LP vs. LP+IVTA for DME. The quality assessment and data extraction were conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook 5.0 by two reviewers independently, and then Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Ten RCTs involving 525 ill eyes were included, and all of them were classified as Grade B in methodological quality. Results of meta-analysis showed that: at the end of follow-up, there were significant differences between the LP+IVTA group and the LP group in the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (RR=–0.14, 95%CI –0.20 to –0.08, Plt;0.000 01), and the central macular thickness (CMT) (RR=–56.78, 95%CI –84.03 to –29.54, Plt;0.000 1). In comparison with the LP group, there were more people in the LP+IVTA group who needed to be treated for their elevated intraocular pressure and to have surgery for the progression of cataract. But no significant difference was found between the two groups in vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion and macular epiretinal membrane. Conclusion Current evidence of clinical research shows that the LP+IVTA is superior to LP in reducing macular edema and improving vision in the treatment of diabetic macular edema, but it may also result in a high incidence of elevated intraocular pressure and cataract. Because the methodological quality limitation of included studies may affect the authenticity of outcomes, this conclusion has to be further proved by more high-quality and large-scale clinical trials.
Objective
To observe the effect of laser photocoagulation of the peripheral retinal holes and/or degeneration in high myopia.
Methods
Full fundus examination for high myopic patients was made before keratorefractive surgery with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy.Peripheral holes,degeneration and vitreous traction were found in 206 eyes of 135 patients,and all of them were treated with laser photocoagulation.
Results
No retinal detachment occurred after keratorefrative operation within 1 year follows up.
Conclusions
Retinal laser photocoagulation is an effective and safety method before keratorefractive operation for prevention of the retinal detachment in high myopia at least in short-term observation.
(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 135-136)
The effect and opportunity of argon laser photocoagulation for the retinal neovascularization in branch retinal vein occlusion in 30 patients were investigated with a control group of 34 patients received nonlaser but routine treatment. The results of the therapeutic effect demonstrated that the neovascularization disappeared completely in 23 cases and became smaller in 7 cases after laser photocoagulation. The incidnce of vitreous hemorrhage in laser group was 43.3% before laser treatment and none after treatment in the duration of observation,and 70.6% in control group. The progression of visual acuity after treatment in laser group was much better than in control group(P＜0. 005)at the time of the latest examination. We found the therapeutic effect was relation to the area, location of the neovascularization in retina,as well as whether the new vessels protruding into vitreous or not.
（Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1994,10:195-198）
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most threatening complication of diabetic retinopathy that affects visual function, which is characterized by intractability and recurrent attacks. Currently, the clinical routine treatments for DME mainly include intravitreal injection, grid laser photocoagulation in the macular area, subthreshold micropulse laser, periocular corticosteroid injection, and vitrectomy. Although conventional treatments are effective for some patients, persistent, refractory, and recurrent DME remains a clinical challenge that needs to be urgently addressed. In recent years, clinical studies have found that certain combination therapies are superior to monotherapy, which can not only restore the anatomical structure of the macular area and effectively reduce macular edema but also improve visual function to some extent while reducing the number of treatments and the overall cost. This makes up for the shortcomings of single treatment modalities and is highly anticipated in the clinical setting. However, the application of combination therapy in clinical practice is relatively short, and its safety and long-term effectiveness need further exploration. Currently, new drugs, new formulations, and new therapeutic targets are still under research and development to address different mechanisms of DME occurrence and development, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents designed to anchor repetitive sequence proteins with stronger inhibition of vascular leakage, multiple growth factor inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, and stem cell therapy. With the continuous improvement of the combination application of existing drugs and treatments and the development of new drugs and treatment technologies, personalized treatment for DME will become possible.
