[Effect of diabetic encephalopathy on fundus oculi status in diabetes]

Twenty-two diabetics with concomitant diabetic encephalopathy are examined. Control group consisted of 22 diabetics without encephalopathy. In the main group the fundus oculi was normal in 4 (18.2%) patients, common diabetic retinopathy with vascular changes was found in 3 (13.6%), common diabetic retinopathy with exudative and hemorrhagic changes in 7 (31.8%), and descending optic nerve atrophy in 8 (36.4%); two of these latter patients developed diabetic retinopathy, although little expressed. The fundus oculi was abnormal in all controls. Common diabetic retinopathy with hemorrhagic and exudative changes was observed in 12 (54.5%) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 10 (45.5%) patients. Diabetic encephalopathy concomitant with diabetes mellitus prevents or delays the development of diabetic retinopathy. The mechanism of this phenomenon is discussed. The "parquet" pattern of the fundus oculi can be an important differential diagnostic sign of diabetic and dyscirculatory encephalopathy.