AIM: To observe the effects of panretinal photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy in the primary hospital.

METHODS: A total of 92 eyes in 55 cases respectively suffering from preproliferative diabetic retinopathy(PPDR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)were treated with panretinal photocoagulation. The fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)and color photograph were taken 3, 6, 12mo after the treatment. For those cases with remaining new vessels and non-perfusion areas, the treatment was complemented with further photocoagulation. The follow-up period was 3-12mo.

RESULTS: After treating with panretinal photocoagulation, visual acuity were improved or maintained in 23 eyes(77%)and decreased in 7 eyes(23%)in group of PPDR; Visual acuity were improved or maintained in 44 eyes(71%)and decreased in 18 eyes(29%)in group of PDR. After one time panretinal photocoagulation, for those cases with remaining new vessels and non-perfusion areas, the treatment was complemented with further photocoagulation in 3mo after FFA, the effective rate was 29 eyes(97%)in group of PPDR, 50 eyes(81%)in group of PDR; 13 eyes(14%)developed vitreous hemorrhage, were turned to the superior hospital for vitrectomy.

CONCLUSION:Panretinal photocoagulation is obviously effective in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy in the primary hospital.