Discrepancy between Fluorescein Angiography and Optical Coherence Tomography in Diabetic Retinopathy

1. Ji Eun Lee¹
2. Hyun Woong Kim²
3. Hyun Jun Park¹
4. Jong Hoon Shin¹
5. Boo sup Oum¹

¹Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
²Pusan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea

Purpose: To investigate changes of macular thickness after pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) in eyes showing fluorescein leakage without macular thickening.

Methods: The eyes without macular thickening in optical coherence tomography in spite of leakage in fluorescein angiography were reviewed retrospectively. The cases had received focal laser treatment or intravitreal/subtenon injections of steroid were excluded. The macula was divided into 9 areas according to ETDRS grid. Fluorescein leakage and macular thickness was evaluated in each area before and after PRP. Correlation between fluorescein leakage and thickness changes after PRP was analyzed.

Results: Among 64 eyes of 50 patients, only leakage of the central 1mm area was significantly correlated with thickness changes in the areas of 1, 3, and 6 mm diameter (p=0.004, 0.003, 0.004, by oneway ANOVA). Leakage in the areas of 3 or 6 mm diameter, and number of areas showing leakage did not have significant correlation with thickness changes.

Conclusions: Eyes with fluorescein leakage in central 1mm area had a significant risk of macular edema after PRP. For these eyes, prophylactic procedures such as injections of steroid may be considered.