Hybrid threshold laser to treat diabetic macular edema: A retrospective analysis single center cohort study

Background: Diabetic patients suffers from reduction of vision that one of its main causes is clinically significant macular edema (CSME).The purpose of this study to determine if hybrid threshold can reduce macular thickness in Diabetic Macular Edema.

Materials and methods: This study is a retrospective analysis single center cohort study. 12 eyes in 10 patients diagnosed with diabetic macular edema using SD-OCT treated with Hybridthreshold laser as the leaking microaneurysms were treated with threshold laser on the 5% duty cycle settings.A complete fundus exam, including best-corrected visual acuity changes, and monthly measuring retinal thickness using SD-OCT for 24 weeks follow up.

Results: Reduction of retinal thickness from 336.58 ± 86.26 μm to 264.33 ± 61.41 μm (p = 0.02) at 24 weeks follow up without significant changes of best-corrected visual acuity from 0.16 LogMAR to 0.08 LogMAR (p = 0.2) with minimal scar formation in 24 weeks follow up.

Conclusion: 532 nm Hybridthreshold laser reduces macular thickness up to 20% and stabilizes diabetic macular edema for 24 weeks follow up.