DIABETES ALTERS THE MAGNITUDE OF VITREOMACULAR ADHESION

To quantify the changes in vitreomacular interactions that occur with aging in diabetic eyes in comparison with age-matched control eyes.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering) foveal scans of diabetic patients, without evidence of cystoid macular edema, were included. Twenty-five raster foveal scans were performed on every subject. Area of vitreomacular adhesion was delineated using the Spectralis drawing tool and calculated in square millimeter. Data collected included gender, race, best-corrected visual acuity, and posterior vitreous detachment status. Subjects were divided into age groups according to decade of life.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scans from 141 diabetic patients were analyzed. Area of vitreomacular adhesion (mm) showed a hyperbolic decline in diabetic patients (35.5 ± 0, 35.0 ± 3, 34.0 ± 3, 33.9 ± 5, 33.7 ± 6, 29.0 ± 11, 23 ± 15, 13 ± 15). With aging, incidence of posterior vitreous detachment increased and incidence of complete attachment decreased.

Diabetes affects the magnitude of attachment of the vitreous gel to the macula that results in stronger and longer lasting attachment of the gel throughout life. Gender differences were not noticed in diabetic patients, suggesting that vitreomacular adhesion remains robust in both genders in diabetes despite aging.