Photocoagulation treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy: relationship of adverse treatment effects to retinopathy severity. Diabetic retinopathy study report no. 5.

Xenon are photocoagulation, as carried out in the DRS, is attended by an increased risk of serious macular damage secondary to vitreoretinal traction. This risk is of particular importance in eyes with severe fibrous proliferations and/or localized traction retinal detachment. Little evidence was found of such an effect following argon laser photocoagulation, although some, mostly less serious, visual acuity decreases were attributable to this treatment as well. After 4 years of follow-up, the beneficial effect of xenon photocoagulation in reducing the risk of severe visual loss outweighed its harmful effect, even in eyes with severe fibrous proliferations and/or traction retinal detachment. A beneficial effect of approximately equal magnitude was present in the argon group.