By the use of a new online measuring system the effect of argon-laser coagulation in diabetics on the diameters of retinal arteries was measured.
Method: The vessel diameter of retinal branch arteries were measured in patients with type-II diabetes before and after (0.5 h) argon-laser coagulation. Ten patients without previous laser treatment were included in this study. Measurements were taken in all four quadrants by the use of a new automatic online measuring system.
Results: The new technique allowed measurements to be made within an acceptable period of time and with little strain on patients. After argon-laser coagulation 56.7% of retinal arteries showed a significant vasodilation. No significant changes in vessel diameter were found in 18.9% of these arteries, whereas 24.3% showed significant vasoconstriction.
Conclusion: The new online measuring system is able to measure the effects of photocoagulation on an individual basis with a noninvasive technique. The first findings presented here confirm previous studies of larger groups, with a considerable reduction in efforts required.