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Impaired saccadic eye movement in diabetic patients: the relationship with visual pathways function
M Alessandrini1, V Paris, E Bruno
1Department of Biopathology and Diagnostic of Imaging, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy. digirolamo@med.uniroma2.it
Documenta Ophthalmologica. Advances in Ophthalmology
|August 18, 2000
Summary
Diabetic patients show delayed saccadic eye movements and impaired visual pathways function. These issues in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients may stem from broader neurological involvement, not just visual pathway dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Diabetic mellitus can affect neurological function.
- Visual pathway and eye movement abnormalities are potential complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between saccadic eye movements and visual pathway function in diabetic patients.
- To assess eye movement system (EMS) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus (IDDM) patients.
Main Methods:
- Assessed saccadic eye movements (EMS) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs).
- Compared 20 IDDM patients with stable metabolic control against 21 age-matched controls.
- Analyzed EMS latency, velocity, accuracy, and VEP latencies and amplitudes.
Main Results:
- IDDM patients had significantly longer EMS latency (p<0.01).
- VEPs showed delayed latencies (N75, P100, N145) and reduced amplitudes (N75-P100, P100-N145).
- No correlation was found between EMS and VEP parameters in IDDM patients.
Conclusions:
- Saccadic eye movement system impairment is suggested by increased EMS latency.
- Visual pathway dysfunction is indicated by abnormal VEPs.
- The lack of correlation suggests diffuse neuronal involvement in IDDM patients, beyond visual pathways.