AIM: To evaluatethe laser photocoagulation of different ranges for diabetic retinopathy(DR)prognosis.

METHODS: A total of 98 cases(153 eyes)with proliferative diabetic retinopathy treated by laser photocoagulation from November 2010 to November 2012 were enrolled in this study. The eyes were divided into three groups, Group A of 38 eyes(25%)receiving pan-retinal photocoagulation, group B of 55 eyes(36%)receiving quadrant retinal laser photocoagulation and group C 60 eyes(39%)receiving retinal laser photocoagulation only in the ischemic area. Blood glucose, refraction, intraocular pressure and vision were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. And all patients underwent VEP, ERG, fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)and optical coherence tomography(OCT)examinations before and after operation. Patients were followed up for 3 months.

RESULTS: After 3 months, decrease of macular thickness in group A and B was more significant than that in group C(P<0.05); improvement of visual acuity in group B and C(3 or more lines)was more significant than that in group A(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Quadrant retinal laser photocoagulation can significantly improve retinal hypoxia, prevent retinal neovascularization and protect visual function in macular area.