Comparison of the efficacy and safety of subthreshold micropulse laser Vs Conventional modified grid laser therapy for Non-centre involving Diabetic macular edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is thickening of the retina at the macular zone, which can affect the fovea and cause central loss of vision in patients with diabetes mellitus.

DME is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness and visual acuity in diabetic population globally

The current gold standard treatment of non centre involving DMEis modified grid laser photocoagulation

However, it had various potential side effects like enlargement of laser scars, scotomas, fibrosis, hemorrhage, accidental foveal injury, choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) formation.

In the last decade, Subthreshold micropulse laser (SMPL) treatment has been intensively used for selected retinal diseases

Subthreshold micropulse laser (SMPL) uses a series of short pulses rather than a short continuous delivery producing sublethal thermal effects, thereby stimulating retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

SMPL is a non destructive alternative treatment for DME and hence also has advantage of safely allowing multiple treatment sessions as needed.

 Major objective:

To compare the efficacy and safety of 577 nm subthreshold micropulse laser (SMPL) in one arm versus 532 nm modified grid laser in the other arm