Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
Venular oxygen saturation is increased in young patients with type 1 diabetes and mild nonproliferative diabetic
Nina C B B Veiby1, Aida Simeunovic2,3,4, Martin Heier4,5
1Center for Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Purpose:
To clarify how early in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) can oxygen (O2 ) saturation changes be detected.
Methods:
Retinal oximetry was performed in a cross-sectional study, involving 14- to 30-year-old individuals: 185 with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 94 controls. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the grade of DR. One-way ANOVA and post hoc tests were used to test for differences in the mean O2 saturations between the groups.
Results:
Fifty-eight (31 %) of the T1D patients had nonproliferative DR. There was no significant difference in O2 saturations between controls and T1D patients with no DR. Arteriolar and venular O2 saturations in T1D patients were significantly higher in moderate/severe DR than in no DR (p = 0.009 and p > 0.001), while venular O2 saturation was significantly higher in mild DR than in no DR (p = 0.013).
Conclusion:
Increase in venular O2 saturation could not be detected before mild retinopathy had developed, and the retinal O2 saturation increase was measurable on the venular side first. Our results suggest that the increase in O2 saturation is likely a consequence of DR.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Special considerations while measuring oxygen saturation
Ensuring accuracy in vital sign recordings while prioritizing patient comfort and minimizing anxiety is...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

