THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MICROPULSE LASER IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA AT PACIFIC EYE INSTITUTE, SUVA FIJI FROM FEBRUARY 2016 TO NOVEMBER 2017 Research

Introduction: Micropulse Laser (MPL) was introduced to Pacific Eye Institute in 2015 as an alternative form of treatment for center involving Diabetic Macular Edema, but a little is known on the effectiveness of this new treatment. The aim of this study was to find out the Effectiveness of MPL in the Treatment of center involving DME in Pacific Eye Institute (PEI) for 2 years.
Method: A Retrospective study of record of eyes that received MPL from February 2016 to November 2017 at PEI as a treatment. Medical folders were obtained for those who received treatment during the study period. Excluded from this study were eyes who received other form of treatment for DME within 3 months before & after the MPL and Eyes with other macular pathologies. Password protected Microsoft excel spreadsheet was used to collect information. Analysis was done using IBM SPSS V25 software. The main outcome measure was the change in Central Macular Thickness (CMT) in micrometer (μm) as observed by comparing pre-Laser CMT with the 3 months CMT as recorded by their respective Optical Coherence Tomography Scan (OCT)
Ethical approval was obtained from PEI, CHREC and FNHRERC.
Results: 204 eyes were treated with MPL during the study period. 127 eyes were eligible for the study 86 (68%) were female and majority were FOID (104 ,82%). 82 Eyes (65%) improved (their CMT) after MPL. Blood Pressure, pre-MPL CMT and CBG had significant positive correlations with the change in CMT after MPL. Optimal values were: Systolic BP 139mmHg, Diastolic BP 84mmHg, CBG 9.2mmol/L and Baseline CMT 380μm. Above these values the MPL tends to be unsuccessful in decreasing CMT after 3 months.
Discussion: Study was Retrospective and I could not control some important variables. One of such is media opacities like Cataract, Posterior Capsular Opacity and Vitreous Hemorrhage. HbA1c was not available for most patient during the study period but would have provide better picture on glycemic control, CBG was recorded instead. This study however is one of the first study that looked at MPL treatment protocol. The results can aid Ophthalmologists and patients in decision making for DME treatments.