Purpose: The aim was to examine the influence of laser treatment on untreated fellow-eyes.
Methods: The effectiveness of the laser photocoagulation was investigated in 24 patients with type II diabetes mellitus and severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Using a spectrometric technique, the measurements in the macula were performed one day before laser coagulation and on the day directly following laser treatment. Further investigations took place 14 days and 6 weeks later.
Results: One day after coagulation, the reflection of the untreated fellow-eyes was found to be significantly increased between 530 and 600 nm, compared to the same eyes before coagulation. However, 14 days and 6 weeks after laser treatment alterations in the untreated eyes were no longer detectable.
Conclusion: The choroidal blood volume seems to be decreased not only in coagulated eyes, but also in untreated fellow-eyes, and, presumedly, the choroidal blood flow is improved. Considering the short duration of these effects, a therapeutic consequence is not supposed.