Electroretinogram evaluation for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy by short-pulse pattern scanning laser panretinal photocoagulation

Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is a standard method for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) treatment. However, conventional PRP usually significantly damages the retinal structure and vision. Retinal pattern scanning laser (PASCAL) photocoagulation has emerged as a new technique with fewer complications for the treatment of retinal disorders. This study compares the therapeutic effects of short-pulse PASCAL to conventional single-spot PRP for PDR. Fifty-two PDR patients (104 eyes) were randomly assigned into a short-pulse PASCAL-PRP treatment (SP) group and a conventional PRP treatment (TP) group. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and full-field flash electroretinogram (ERG) data were evaluated before and after the two treatments. The BCVA data between before and after the PRP treatments did not show any significant difference. After the PRP treatment, the b-wave amplitude (b-A) in the dark-adapted 3.0 ERG (p = 0.0005) and the amplitude in the light-adapted 3.0 flicker ERG (p = 0.009) were significantly higher in the SP group compared with that of the TP group. In addition, after the PRP treatment, the a-wave implicit time (a-T) of light-adapted 3.0 ERG prolonged significantly in the TP group compared to the SP group. Compared with the parameters before the treatments, the a-A and b-A under dark-adapted 3.0 ERG and the b-A under the light-adapted 3.0 ERG in both TP and SP groups after the treatments decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Short-pulse PASCAL-PRP significantly attenuated partial vision damage compared to conventional PRP, although it still caused limited retinal injury and mild reduction in retinal function. These findings suggest that short-pulse PASCAL-PRP is a promising technique for PDR treatment.