Delivery of photocoagulation treatment for diabetic retinopathy at a large Australian ophthalmic hospital: Comparisons with national clinical practice guidelines

Abstract

Objective: To determine if the delivery of photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy at a large Australian ophthalmic hospital conforms with Australian National Health and Medical Research Council clinical practice guidelines. Methods: A retrospective medical record review was conducted of all patients who had initial laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital from January 1997 to December 1998. Results: The study included 322 eyes from 203 patients. The mean age was 65.8 years (range 18-89 years) and the mean duration of diabetes was 14.7 years (range 1-40 years). Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) alone was performed in 37 eyes over a mean number of..