Comparison of functional changes of retina after subthreshold and threshold pan-retinal photocoagulation in severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose To find a new approach of pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) with less damage to the retina in the treatment of severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), this study compared functional changes in the retina after subthreshold and threshold PRP treatment in severe NPDR eyes. Methods Post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial was conducted in this study. Seventy eyes of 35 patients with bilateral, symmetric, severe NPDR were enrolled. Two eyes from the same patient were randomized into two groups, one eye received subthreshold PRP (S-PRP) and the other eye received threshold PRP (T-PRP). Comprehensive ophthalmological evaluations were performed on the baseline and every 3 months for 1 year. Visual field (VF) and full-field electroretinography (ERG) were performed on the baseline and repeated at month 12. Results During the 12-month follow-up, 4 eyes (11.4%) in the S-PRP group and 3 eyes (8.6%) in the T-PRP group progressed to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) stage, and there was no statistical difference in PDR progression rate between the two groups ( P = 0.69). In addition, the changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to month 12 between the two groups had no statistical difference ( P = 0.30). From baseline to month 12, changes in central VF between the two groups had no statistical difference ( P = 0.25), but changes in total score points of peripheral VF in the S-PRP group (− 242.1 ± 210.8 dB) and the T-PRP group (− 308.9 ± 209.7 dB) were statistically significant ( P = 0.03). At month 12, ERG records showed that the amplitude of dark-adapted 0.01 ERG, dark-adapted 3.0 ERG, oscillatory potentials, light-adapted 3.0 ERG, and 30 Hz flicker ERG of both groups were significantly decreased from the baseline ( P < 0.05). In addition, the amplitude of each ERG record in the S-PRP group decreased significantly less than those in the T-PRP group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Subthreshold PRP is as effective as threshold PRP for preventing severe NPDR progress to PDR within 1 year with less damage to periphery VF and retinal function. Trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01759121.