Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS)

Introduction

Conclusions:

• laser treatment is beneficial in certain patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy & macular edema before visual impairment has occurred
• without treatment, 50% of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy will be blind within 5 years
• 1/2 of patient eligible for laser therapy receive it
• appropriate use of photocoagulation may reduce risk of severe visual loss by 50%

More general terms

• clinical trial

Additional terms

• diabetic retinopathy (DR, proliferative {PDR} & non-proliferative)