Computer analysis of ocular results following selective blockade of growth-hormone in diabetic retinopathy. A collaborative study.

Computer storage and analysis of ocular data (visual acuity, fundus photographs and fluorescein angiographies) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) was used before and 1, 3 and 5 years after "Stereo-GIHF". This radiobiological procedure results in the selective inhibition of growth-hormone (GH) release. A series of 107 eyes were analyzed after division into 2 categories A and B (A: progressing background DR, n = 53, B: proliferative DR, n = 54). All patients treated by laser photocoagulation before and/or after stereo-GIHF were excluded from the present study; in contrast complications that impair visual acuity (VA), mainly vitreous hemorrhages, diabetic maculopathy and cataracts, were not discarded. In groups A and B, mean VA was stable showing no significant differences before and 5 years after treatment. In both groups microaneurysms are improved or stable in all cases. Hard exudates were improved in 66% of cases. In group B preretinal new-vessels and neovascularisation on the disc are improved or stable in 90% of cases. The same percentage is observed for extramacular and macular transudations 3 years after Stereo-GIHF. The present data strongly suggest that the selective suppression of GH improves the prognosis of DR. However the prognosis for vision remains poor in macular degenerations; in addition a rapid evolution of new-vessel formations should indicate a combined treatment with argon laser photocoagulation.