We examined 112 eyes of 112 adult-onset diabetic patients by fundus fluorescein angiography and with the laser flare cell meter (LFCM) in order to evaluate the possible correlation between retinal capillary changes and aqueous flare. Diabetic eyes were divided into the following groups: minor background diabetic retinopathy (MDR), nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with predominant capillary occlusion (ONP), nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with predominant capillary dilation and exudation (ENP) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). 108 age-matched eyes of 108 normal subjects were used as control group. Flare values (photon counts/ms) of all diabetic groups (MDR 9.01 ± 0.79, ONP 13.66 ± 3.22, ENP 16.43 ± 5.55, PDR 18.57 ± 6.99) were significantly higher than in the normal control group (4.28 ± 1.14, p < 0.0001). Significant differences were found between ONP and ENP (p = 0.008) and between ONP and PDR (p = 0.0001) but not between ENP and PDR (p = 0.4). Our results indicate that there is a correlation between aqueous flare and the type of angiographic retinal capillary changes with higher flare values in eyes with retinal capillary dilatation and exudation. Measurements with LFCM may be useful to quantify the extent and severity of capillary alterations in diabetic eyes.

This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.