EFFECT OF LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION ON CONTRAST SENSITIVITY, VISUALACUITYANDCOLOUR VISION IN PATIENTS OF DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA.

Aim:Toassess the effects of laser photocoagulation on contrast sensitivity, visual acuity and colour vision in patients of diabetic macular edema. Methods: It is a hospital-based prospective analytical study conducted on 30 eyes of type 1 and types 2 of diabetes mellitus patients with NPDR and non-centre involved diabetic macular edema of more than 18 years of age of both the sexes for a one-yearduration. Results:The majority belonged to the age group of 51-60 yrs. Males represented 60% with a peak incidence at 51-60 years and females represented 40 %. BCVA was stabilized in 63%,improvedby 26% and decreased by 10%. In this study, the mean baseline contrast sensitivity was 0.49 log CS which improved significantly to o.60 log CS and 0.64 logs CS at 3 and 6 months respectively.No change in colour vision was noted at 6 months follow up Conclusion: Timely treatment of Diabetic macular edema with laser retinal photocoagulation prevents further dysfunction and salvages involved retina causing statistically significant improvement in vision and quality of life.