Related Experiment Videos
Ocular pulse amplitude in diabetes mellitus
K G Schmidt1, A von Rückmann, B Kemkes-Matthes
1Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Walton Street, University of Oxford, UK. karl-georg.schmidt@eye.ox.ac.uk
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|October 26, 2000
Summary
This study found that diabetes mellitus does not affect ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), a measure of choroidal perfusion, even as diabetic retinopathy progresses. Choroidal circulation remains stable in patients with diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Diabetology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- The impact of diabetes mellitus on ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), an indicator of choroidal blood flow, is not well understood.
- Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that can affect vision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy severity, and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA).
- To assess choroidal perfusion in patients with varying stages of diabetic retinopathy.
Main Methods:
- Ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) was measured using the Langham ocular blood flow (OBF) system.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP), systemic blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and HbA1c levels were recorded in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
- Patients were categorized into three groups based on diabetic retinopathy severity: no retinopathy (DR-0), non-proliferative retinopathy (DR-1), and proliferative retinopathy (DR-2).
Main Results:
- No significant alterations were observed in OPA, IOP, systemic blood pressure, heart rate, or HbA1c levels across the different diabetic retinopathy groups (DR-0, DR-1, DR-2).
- These findings suggest that neither local ocular parameters nor systemic hemodynamic factors are significantly affected by the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusions:
- Choroidal circulation appears to remain unaffected despite the advancement of diabetic retinopathy in patients with IDDM.
- The study indicates that OPA may not be a sensitive indicator for detecting early microvascular changes in the choroid related to diabetes.