Long-term Outcomes of Pan-retinal Laser Photocoagulation in Retinal Vascular Disorders: A Systematic Review | ||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||
| Volume 101, Issue 1, October 2025, Pages 4581-4587 PDF (580.32 K) | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.456364 | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is a laser-based therapy in which the peripheral retina is burned, and the heat energy causes tissue coagulation. It is mostly utilized to treat diseases, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and retinal vein occlusions that are marked by widespread peripheral ischemia. Objectives: To systematically review the long-term macular and visual outcomes associated with PRP in patients with retinal vascular disorders, with a focus on evaluating the durability of treatment effects, overall efficacy, and potential complications of the procedure. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase to identify studies reporting outcomes of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). The Inclusion criteria were studies involving adult patients with retinal vascular disorders who underwent PRP, with a minimum follow-up duration of six months. Results: Seven studies involving a total of 392 patients were included. Macular thickness remained stable in most patients, with transient increases postoperatively in some cases. Visual acuity was generally maintained, with a portion of patients retaining 20/40 vision or better for up to five years. Visual field changes were more frequent than acuity loss, particularly in peripheral regions. Some retinal nerve fiber thinning was noted long-term, though functional impact varied. Conclusion: PRP offers reliable long-term anatomical and functional outcomes in retinal vascular diseases, maintaining its role as an essential treatment, especially in situations with weak anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) compliance or long-term follow-up. To reduce functional visual field loss and assess the best integration with adjunctive therapy, more study is required. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| pan-retinal photocoagulation; proliferative diabetic retinopathy; retinal vascular disorders; macular thickness; visual acuity; visual field loss | ||
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