Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
12:28
Quantification of Vascular Parameters in Whole Mount Retinas of Mice with Non-Proliferative and Proliferative Retinopathies
Published on: March 12, 2022
4.2K
Retinal vasculature-function correlation in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Yunkao Zeng1,2, Dan Cao1, Dawei Yang1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 106, Zhongshan Er Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Documenta Ophthalmologica. Advances in Ophthalmology
|September 26, 2019
Summary
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and full-field electroretinogram (FERG) reveal correlations between retinal microcirculation and function in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). FERG may be more sensitive for detecting DR progression than OCTA.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Diabetic Retinopathy Research
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss.
- Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is an early stage characterized by microvascular changes.
- Assessing microcirculation and retinal function is crucial for early detection and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare and correlate retinal microcirculation and function in patients with NPDR.
- To evaluate the utility of OCTA and FERG in detecting early DR stages.
Main Methods:
- Utilized optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to quantify macular vessel density (VD) in superficial and deep capillary plexuses.
- Assessed retinal function using full-field flicker electroretinogram (FERG) to record amplitudes and implicit times.
- Analyzed associations between microvascular parameters and FERG results using stepwise multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Reduced macular VD and impaired FERG responses (decreased amplitude, delayed implicit time) were observed in diabetic patients compared to controls.
- FERG parameters and microvascular indices were similar between diabetic patients without retinopathy (NDR) and mild NPDR.
- In severe NPDR, FERG amplitude reduction was more pronounced than VD reduction, and both were significantly correlated with age and VD.
Conclusions:
- Macular VD in both capillary plexuses correlates with ERG implicit time and amplitude in NPDR.
- OCTA and FERG show potential for detecting preclinical and early DR.
- FERG may be more sensitive than OCTA for discerning DR progression in later stages.
