Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Observational Study
. 2020 Jun;40(6):1062-1069.
doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002538.

PHOTORECEPTOR DAMAGE IN DIABETIC CHOROIDOPATHY

Enrico Borrelli  1 , Michele Palmieri  1 , Pasquale Viggiano  1 , Giada Ferro  1 , Rodolfo Mastropasqua  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

PHOTORECEPTOR DAMAGE IN DIABETIC CHOROIDOPATHY

Enrico Borrelli et al. Retina. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between choriocapillaris (CC) hypoperfusion and photoreceptor alterations in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods: In this prospective, observational, case-control study, 30 eyes (30 patients) with NPDR and 30 healthy eyes from 30 controls were enrolled at the University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy. This study cohort underwent an ophthalmologic examination, including optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography. The main outcome measures were as follows: 1) "normalized" reflectivity of en face image segmented at the ellipsoid zone level, which was calculated to quantify the photoreceptor damage, and 2) CC perfusion density. Secondary outcome measures were as follows: 1) superficial retinal capillary plexus (SCP), intermediate retinal capillary plexus (ICP), and deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP) perfusion density (based on the area of vessels); 2) SCP, ICP, and DCP vessel length density (based on a map with vessels of 1-pixel width); and 3) SCP, ICP, and DCP vessel diameter.

Results: Mean ± SD age was 58.9 ± 11.1 years (range 38-79 years) in the NPDR group and 61.7 ± 11.3 years (range 39-87 years) in the control group (P > 0.05 for all the comparisons). Compared with controls, NPDR eyes displayed a lower "normalized" reflectivity (0.96 ± 0.25 in controls and 0.73 ± 0.19 in the NPDR group, P < 0.0001). Moreover, the NPDR group was characterized by an impaired perfusion in both the retinal and choroidal vasculature. In multiple regression analysis, ellipsoid zone "normalized" reflectivity displayed a significant direct association with CC perfusion density in patients with NPDR (P = 0.025 and P = 0.476, in NPDR and controls, respectively).

Conclusion: Eyes with NPDR are affected by macular hypoperfusion and photoreceptor damage, the latter investigated as ellipsoid zone "normalized" reflectivity. The diabetic choroidopathy seems to be strongly associated with photoreceptor damage.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Borrelli E, Sarraf D, Freund KB, Sadda SR. OCT angiography and evaluation of the choroid and choroidal vascular disorders. Prog Retin Eye Res 2018;67:30–55.
    1. Provis JM, Penfold PL, Cornish EE, et al. Anatomy and development of the macula: specialisation and the vulnerability to macular degeneration. Clin Exp Optom 2005;88:269–281.
    1. Yu DY, Yu PK, Cringle SJ, et al. Functional and morphological characteristics of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. Prog Retin Eye Res 2014;40:53–93.
    1. Borrelli E, Lonngi M, Balasubramanian S, et al. Macular microvascular networks in healthy pediatric subjects. Retina 2018. doi:s10.1097/IAE.0000000000002123. - DOI
    1. Iafe NA, Phasukkijwatana N, Chen X, Sarraf D. Retinal capillary density and foveal avascular zone area are age-dependent: quantitative analysis using optical coherence tomography angiography. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2016;57:5780.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources