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Evaluation of the neuronal and microvascular components of the macula in patients with diabetic retinopathy

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate whether abnormal retinal microcirculation correlates with retinal neuronal changes in untreated diabetic eyes without macular edema.

Methods

This study enrolled 29 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR), 18 patients with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 15 patients with moderate NPDR, 14 patients with severe NPDR, 27 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and 25 healthy control subjects. Pattern electroretinography (PERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) tests were performed.

Results

Differences in the mean values for the area, acircularity index, and perimeter of foveal avascular zone were statistically significant between the healthy control group and the diabetic patients (P  < 0.05 for all). P50 and N95 amplitudes were statistically significantly lower in the PDR group compared to diabetic patients without DR, control, and moderate NPDR groups (P  < 0.05 for all). The whole retina vessel densities in superficial and deep capillary plexus were lower in the PDR group compared to the diabetic patients without DR and control group (P < 0.05 for all). There were statistically significant positive correlations between the amplitudes of the P50 and N95 waves with the vessel densities.

Conclusion

The existence of significant correlations between PERG and OCT-A parameters in diabetic patients has shown that vascular and neuronal changes in the macula affect each other in diabetic patients.

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Acknowledgements

A part from the authors, no individuals or organizations have made substantial contributions to the study.

Funding

No funding was received for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Dortyol Public Hospital, Saban Akın Ucar Street, 31600, Dortyol, Hatay, Turkey

    Ali Mert Koçer

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey

    Mehmet Ali Şekeroğlu

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  1. Ali Mert Koçer
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  2. Mehmet Ali Şekeroğlu
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Correspondence to Ali Mert Koçer.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Koçer, A.M., Şekeroğlu, M.A. Evaluation of the neuronal and microvascular components of the macula in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Doc Ophthalmol 143, 193–205 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-021-09834-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-021-09834-y

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