Effect of Laser Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy on the Optic Disc Topography

Effect of Panretinal Photocoagulation on Confocal Laser Scanning Ophthalmoscopy and Stereo Photographic Parameters of the Optic Disc Topography in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT03476967

Enrollment

Registered

2018-03-26

Start date

2014-01-31

Completion date

2017-01-31

Last updated

2018-03-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Diabetic Retinopathy

Keywords

optic disc topography, panretinal photocoagulation, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, stereoscopic disc photographs, diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve head parameters

Brief summary

This study analyzed diabetic patients without evidence of glaucoma who underwent panretinal photocoagulation to determine the effect on optic disc topographic parameters in non-glaucomatous patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Detailed description

Glaucoma and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) are two very prevalent diseases that often coexist. Previous literature suggest that panretinal photocoagulation may somehow lead to optic disk cupping. Therefore, evaluation of the optic disc cupping and of possible glaucomatous damage in patients with diabetic retinopathy can be difficult, especially after PRP treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term effect of PRP on optic disc topographic parameters in non-glaucomatous patients with PDR using Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) parameters and stereo photography. The Investigators found that PRP does not cause morphological optic disk changes in diabetic PDR patients after one year of follow-up.

Interventions

PROCEDUREPanretinal photocoagulation

In cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is the first-line treatment. Although PRP reduces the risk of severe vision loss, it has been shown that laser energy can cause destruction to all layers of retina including the ganglion cells and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and therefore generate visual field defects similar to that observed in glaucomatous damage. In such cases, visual field testing can be less helpful to evaluate glaucomatous damage in PDR patients treated with PRP.

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* diagnosis of PDR (due to type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus) * intraocular pressure \< 18 mmHg * nonglaucomatous optic disc characteristics at fundus examination * vertical cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio \<0.7 * absence of media opacities

Exclusion criteria

* previous diagnosis of glaucoma * family history of glaucoma * neuroophthalmic disease * uveitis * retinal artery or vein occlusion * optic disc neovascularization * diabetic macular edema (DME) * corneal opacity * previous laser photocoagulation treatment

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Cup area	12 months	Change in cup area (mm2) measured by Heidelberg retinal tomograph (HRT) before and one year after PRP

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026