Estimating the Effects of Conventional Argon Panretinal Laser Photocoagulation on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Driving Visual Fields in Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness among adults worldwide, often progressing to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Argon panretinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) is a standard treatment for PDR, aimed at reducing the risk of severe vision loss. However, this treatment has potential side effects, including damage to the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and visual field loss, which may impact driving vision. This study aims to evaluate the effects of conventional argon PRP on the RNFL thickness and driving visual fields in patients with DR. A total of 60 patients with PDR were included in the study. Pre-treatment and post-treatment evaluations were performed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure RNFL thickness and visual field testing using the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA). Results indicated a significant decrease in RNFL thickness and a decline in driving visual fields post-PRP, especially in the central and para-central regions. The findings suggest that while PRP effectively manages DR, it may lead to functional impairment in the RNFL and compromise driving vision, underscoring the need for regular monitoring of these parameters in treated individuals.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, argon panretinal laser photocoagulation, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), driving visual fields, visual function, laser treatment, diabetic complications.