Purpose:
Time domain OCT has shown a decrease in RNFL thickness in diabetic retinopathy. To our knowledge this is the first study using Spectral Domain OCT as a predictor of diabetic retinopathy.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of Spectral domain OCT (Cirrus OCT, Zeiss, Dublin CA) retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and diabetic patients with background diabetic retinopathy. Eligibility criteria: Age over age 18 years, Visual acuity 20/20-20/40, no diabetic retinopathy to background diabetic retinopathy, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.Exclusion criteria: Glaucoma, diabetic laser, diabetic macular edema.
Results:
38 diabetic patients : 18 males, 20 females, Age Range =42-73(avg= 56.9 yrs sd=10.1), Visual acuity 20/20-20/40. Diabetics (Diab) OD avg RNFL 89.7 um (sd=10.46), OS avg RNFL 89.9 um (sd 9.2). Controls (Con) age range=33-80 yrs (sd=11.9), Visual Acuity 20/20-20/40. RNFL= OD avg 98.8 um (sd=4.3), OS avg 95.6 um (sd=4.5). Refer to Table 1.
Conclusions:
In this small study of spectral domain OCT, the average thickness of the RNFL is significantly different than that of age matched normals. This finding might be useful to general ophthalmologists and optometrists as a screening tool for referring selected diabetic patients to retinal specialists. RNFL loss in diabetics with good vision and minimal diabetic retinopathy affects our assessment of their optic nerve vis-a-vis glaucoma risk.
Keywords: imaging/image analysis: clinical • optic nerve • diabetes