Diabetic retinopathy in tessellated fundus

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Diabetology
• Medical Research

Background:

• Diabetic retinopathy risk factors include diabetes duration, poor control, age, hypoglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking, alcohol, renal failure, and pregnancy.
• Some long-standing diabetes patients (30-40 years) lack retinopathy despite risk factors, indicating protective local factors.
• This study investigates if a tessellated fundus is a protective factor against diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between a tessellated fundus and the presence of diabetic retinopathy.
• To evaluate the protective role of a tessellated fundus against diabetic maculopathy.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based descriptive study was conducted.
• Participants were adults aged 40 years and older with diabetes for at least 10 years.
• Diabetic retinopathy was graded using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria.

Main Results:

• A tigroid fundus showed a negative association with diabetic retinopathy (OR 0.49) and maculopathy (OR 0.43).
• In patients with a tigroid fundus, younger age (40-50 years), female gender, HbA1c <6.5, and shorter diabetes duration (10-15 years) were negatively associated with diabetic retinopathy.
• Conversely, in non-tigroid fundus patients, younger age, female gender, HbA1c <6.5, and shorter diabetes duration were positively associated with retinopathy.

Conclusions:

• A tessellated fundus appears to reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
• The presence of a tessellated fundus is associated with a decreased risk of diabetic maculopathy.