Study of the Orbital Vessels by Color Doppler in Known Diabetic Patients for Evaluation of Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy is a vascular disorder affecting the microvasculature of retina. It is caused by
changes in the blood vessels of retina. If untreated, it may lead to blindness which is usually preventable if retinopathy
is diagnosed early and treated promptly. As the prevalence of diabetes is rising, the systemic complications that
include retinopathy, nephropathy , neuropathy and involvement of cardiovascular system are also increasing.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Prevention of retinopathy needs early diagnosis.
(1) In ophthalmology, Color Doppler imaging is a new method that enables us to assess the orbital vasculature. It
allows for simultaneous two dimensional anatomical and Doppler evaluations of retinal artery.
Objective and Aim: Aim of the study is to evaluate the ocular blood flow in patients with diabetes mellitus with
no ocular symptoms.
Materials and Methods: Color Doppler evaluation of 50 diabetic patients (100 eyes) was done with SIEMENS
SONOLINE G- 50 machine with High frequency probe (5-7.5 Mega Hertz). Doppler spectral analysis of ophthalmic
arteries (OA) and central retinal arteries (CRA) were done. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity
(EDV), resistive index (RI) and S/D ratio were calculated. PSV, EDV, RI were measured in all patients in both the eyes.
Results: The PSV of CRA in diabetics was significantly reduced (p=<0.05). The EDV of CRA in diabetics was
also significantly reduced (p=<0.05). The RI of CRA is significantly increased (p=<0.05) in diabetics. The 95%
confidence interval is observed in PSV, EDV, RI of CRA in diabetics.
Conclusion: There was statistical significant difference between the PSV, EDV and RI of CRA in diabetics. This
significant difference could be due to the circulatory changes in blood vessels in diabetics. No significant difference
was made in OA in diabetics. This study concludes that retinal hemodynamic changes were present even before
the clinical manifestations of retinopathy in diabetics.