Assessment of Effects of Pan-Retinal Photocoagulation on Retinal Nerve Fibre  Layer By Optical Coherence Tomography

Objective: To assess the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer by Optical Coherence Tomography in patients treated with pan-retinal photocoagulation at one-month and three-month post-treatment follow-up. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Quetta Pakistan, from Oct 2022 to Apr 2023. Methodology: A total of 77 Patients with 104 diseased eyes were included in the study. Forty-eight patients were male, while 29 were female. Out of 77 patients, 63 patients were diagnosed with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, out of which 27 patients had Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in both eyes (54 eyes) and 36 had DR in one eye (36 eyes). Six patients were diagnosed cases of central retinal vein occlusion (6 eyes), four patients had Eales disease (8 eyes), and three patients had uveitis (3 eyes). Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer was assessed by Optical coherence tomography in patients before performing pan-retinal photocoagulation and at follow-up visits at one- and three-months post- pan-retinal photocoagulation. Results: Before pan-retinal photocoagulation, the average thickness of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in the corresponding geographical area was 84.18±2.62 µm. However, there was a decrease, with the thickness being observed to be 83.46±3.75 µm one month after pan-retinal photocoagulation and further dropping to 81.55±2.58 µm three months after pan-retinal photocoagulation. This indicates a regression in the disease progression. Conclusion: Regular follow-up of our patients indicates significant changes in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer thickness when assessed at one month and three months post-PRP.PRP is a promising treatment modality in patients suffering from retinal diseases.