EVALUATION OF VISUAL FUNCTION IN PRE AND POST ARGON LASER IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of vision impairment among adults. As the disease progresses, visual functions such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color vision can deteriorate. Argon laser photocoagulation is a widely used treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. However, its effect on functional vision parameters beyond visual acuity is still under-evaluated, particularly in the local population context. Objective: To evaluate changes in visual functions including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and color vision before and after Argon laser photocoagulation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, from February to May 2024. A total of 55 patients (30 males, 54.5%; 25 females, 45.5%) aged 40–60 years with a diabetes duration of more than three years were enrolled using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Visual acuity, color vision, and contrast sensitivity were assessed using the Snellen chart, Ishihara plates, and Pelli-Robson chart respectively, before and four weeks after Argon laser treatment. Data were recorded in a structured performa and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Pearson correlation was used to assess relationships between visual parameters. Results: The mean contrast sensitivity decreased slightly from 1.5073 ± 0.23891 to 1.4745 ± 0.21406 (p=0.45), while visual acuity showed a minor reduction from 5.55 ± 1.245 to 5.49 ± 2.081 (p=0.87). A significant improvement was observed in color vision scores, which increased from 2.45 ± 1.168 to 3.35 ± 1.280 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Post-treatment, color vision showed significant enhancement, while visual acuity and contrast sensitivity remained largely unchanged. These results suggest that Argon laser therapy may selectively improve certain visual functions in patients with diabetic retinopathy.