Evaluation of Macular Circulation in Patient with Diabetic Maculopathy using Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope(SLO).

Lee, Jong Hyeok; Kim, Sun Wook; Kwak, Hyung Woo

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1999;40(6):1574-1581.
Published online June 1, 1999.

Evaluation of Macular Circulation in Patient with Diabetic Maculopathy using Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope(SLO).

Jong Hyeok Lee, Sun Wook Kim, Hyung Woo Kwak

Department of Ophthalmology, Kyung Hee University Hospital.

Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope를 이용한 당뇨황반병증 환자의 황반부 순환에 대한 연구

이종혁(Jong Hyeok Lee),김선욱(Sun Wook Kim),곽형우(Hyung Woo Kwak)

Abstract

In the condition of diabetic retinopathy, the vascular changes are localized primarily in the retinal capillaries and are presumed to promote angiogenesis. To investigate the change of retinal blood flow velocities and morphological parameters in diabetic retinopathy, we measured perifoveal capillary blood velocities(v) and the size of foveal avascular zones(FAZ). Thirteen patients with diabetic maculopathy and nine healthy volunteers were included in this study. The scanning laser technique in conjunction with an image analysing system were used to assess the morphological and hemodynamic changes in diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic maculopathy group showed a slower capillary blood velocity than normal group(2.44+/-0.39mm/sec vs2.75+/-0.61 mm/sec, p>0.18). The foveal avascular zone was significantly larger in diabetic maculopathy group than in normal group(313.5+/-64.6micrometervs. 238.9+/-93.8micrometer, p<0.05). This results indicate that the retinal microcirculation is altered in diabetic patients compared with healthy subjects. These alterations may be due to the change of the capillary wall and blood viscosity in diabetic patients. The determination of these parameters can be utilized in monitoring the progress of diabetic maculopathy.

Key Words: Capillary blood velocity;Diabetic maculopathy;Foveal avascular zone