TITLE:
Changes in Choroidal Thickness Following Panretinal Photocoagulation: A Retrospective Study from Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia
AUTHORS:
Abdullah Al Marshood
KEYWORDS:
Panretinal Photocoagulation, Choroidal Thickness, Diabetic Retinopathy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ophthalmology,
Vol.16 No.2,
April
27,
2026
ABSTRACT: Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) is a well-established treatment for diabetic retinopathy, yet its effects on the choroid remain incompletely understood. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate changes in choroidal thickness before and six months after PRP in patients from the Al Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 30 eyes with diabetic retinopathy who underwent PRP were included. Choroidal thickness was measured using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography at baseline and at six months post-treatment. The mean choroidal thickness decreased from 309.53 ± 11.68 µm at baseline to 295.30 ± 12.05 µm at six months, representing a mean reduction of 14.23 µm. These findings indicate that PRP is associated with a significant reduction in choroidal thickness, suggesting structural and hemodynamic changes in the choroid following treatment. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical implications of these changes.