PURPOSE: To verify the clinical correlation between retinopathy progression and the change of venous filling time (VFT), measured before and after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients. METHODS: We conducted this study on 32 patients (32 eyes) who received PRP for PDR. These patients were subdivided into two groups in accordance with the clinical course of PRP: the stabilized group in which retinal neovascularization was regressed and the progressed group in which retinal neovascularization was continued and a complication, such as vitreous hemorrhage or tractional retinal detachment, was developed within 12 months of laser treatment. Arteriovenous passage time (AVP) and VFT were measured by video fluorescein angiogram (FAG) using scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) before and after PRP. VFT values were assigned by measuring by the time duration from start of venous lamina flow to the fullness of fluorescence on the vascular arch. RESULTS: In the stabilized group, AVP was decreased by 0.20+/-0.89sec and VFT was decreased by 0.30+/-1.69 sec through PRP. In the progressed group, AVP was increased in 0.12+/-1.22 sec and VFT was increased by 0.99+/-1.60 sec through PRP. In both groups, the VFT changes were significant (P=0.04) but the AVP changes were not (P=0.34). CONCLUSIONS: VFT was significantly decreased in the stabilized group and significantly increased in the progressed group after PRP. Accordingly, we suggest that VFT changes after PRP can be utilized as a prognostic indicator for evaluating clinical course of diabetic retinopathy after performing PRP and for monitoring the clinical effect of PRP.
Veins ; Time Factors ; Retinal Vessels/*physiopathology ; Regional Blood Flow ; *Light Coagulation ; Humans ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*physiopathology/*surgery

Aged ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Electroretinography ; Female ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retina ; physiopathology ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Neovascularization at the disc (NVD) is the most serious complication in diabetic retinopathy, and leads to vitreous hemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment. We report two cases of spontaneous regression of NVD in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Two men (31 and 46 years old) with diabetes had NVD in both eyes. They were treated with panretinal photocoagulation on the left eye first, but their right eyes went untreated, because they did not revisit our clinic for several months. Fortunately, on revisit, their neovascularization had disappeared a few months later in both eyes, including their untreated right eyes. We could not find any specific causes for the spontaneous regression of the new vessels.
Adult ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*physiopathology ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Optic Disk/*blood supply ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Retinal Neovascularization/*physiopathology

The oscillatory potentials (OPs) in electroretinogram (ERG) have clinical values in measuring retinal functions of the early stage of diabetic retinopathy.However, OPs have, until now, been evaluated as components of total ERG recorded with a full field stimulus over the entire retina. Therefore, little information could be obtained about the macular condition (diabetic retinopathy). Using focal stimuli, we successfully recorded OPs in the human macular region. We modified our previously reported system for recording local macular ERG under the fundus monitor with an infrared television fundus camera. We evaluated macular OPs with simultaneously recorded a-and b-waves in many patients with diabetic retinopathy. In some kinds of early diabetic maculopathy, the macular OPs were selectively reduced, leaving the a- and b-waves intact. The macular OPs can be a valuable indicator in assessing the macular function in diabetic maculopathy.
Adult ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*physiopathology ; *Electroretinography ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Macula Lutea/*physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oscillometry

Diabetic Retinopathy ; complications ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; pathology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of multifocal electroretinograms (mf-ERG) of different phases in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its clinical significance.

METHODSMultifocal electroretinograms in patients with DR (I - II stage) were tested with VERIS IV system.

RESULTSIn I - II stage, the absolute values of N1, P1 and N2 response densities, and the N1-P1 and P1-N2 response densities were attenuated is a field of about 45 degrees in diameter.

CONCLUSIONAs a new objective and quantitative examination for spatial visual function, multifocal electroretinograms may be valuable in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

Aged ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Electroretinography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retina ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the tear film function of patients with type 2 diabetes and to investigate the risk factors of dry eye in these patients.

METHODSTotally 111 patients with type 2 diabetes and 100 age- and sex-matched control subjects were studied. Tear film function was evaluated by dry eye syndrome, tear breaking up time (BUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test (SIt), and tear film lipid layer observation with tear scope. Dye eye score was calculated with the results of these tests.

RESULTSWhen compared with the controls, patients with type 2 diabetes showed higher dry eye score (diabetics 3.28 +/- 1.56, control 2.31 +/- 1.50, P < 0.01) and faster BUT [diabetics (6.50 +/- 4.84) s, control (12.26 +/- 7.16) s, P < 0.01], but similar SIt [diabetics (10.61 +/- 6.86) s, control (10.92 +/- 7.05) s, P > 0.05]. More diabetic patients were diagnosed as dry eye(diabetics 19.8%, control 8.0%, P < 0.05). According to their retinopathy, the diabetic patients were divided into three groups: without diabetic retinopathy (DR), with background DR, and with proliferative DR. For these three groups, the dry eye scores were 2.95 +/- 1.50, 3.38 +/- 1.48 and 4.11 +/- 1.60, respectively (P < 0.01); the SIt were (10.95 +/- 6.89) mm, (11.71 +/- 7.30) mm and (7.63 +/- 5.20) mm, respectively (P > 0.05); the BUT were (7.53 +/- 5.23) s, (5.88 +/- 4.10) s and (4.47 +/- 4.17) s (P < 0.05). Patients with DR were then devided into two groups: with photocoagulation and without photocoagulation. For these two groups, the dry eye scores were 4.71 +/- 1.14 and 3.26 +/- 1.15, respectively (P < 0.01); the BUT were (2.93 +/- 2.06) s and (6.26 +/- 4.36) s, respectively (P < 0.01); the SIt were (7.21 +/- 6.51) mm and (11.33 +/- 6.73) mm, respectively (P < 0.05); the rates of corneal fluorescein staining were 50.0% and 17.9%, respectively (P < 0.05). Dry eye score had a good correlation with diabetic retinopathy and photocoagulation (P < 0.01), but was poorly correlaed with age, gender, insulin, duration of diabetes mellitus, and metabolic control (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPatients with type 2 diabetes tend to develop tear film dysfunction. The disorders of tear film quantity and quality seem relevant to the stage of diabetic retinopathy and photocoagulation.

Adult ; Aged ; Cornea ; physiopathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; complications ; physiopathology ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; complications ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tears ; secretion

To analyse the results of diabetic vitrectomy according to the severity of proliferation [severe (SPG) vs. less-severe proliferation group (LSPG)], and methods of the operation, which was complete removal of anteroposterior vitreous traction with or without complete removal of preretinal memebrane, we compared both groups by using anatomic success rate and postoperative visual acuities (VA). The results were as follows: The anatomic success rate and postoperative VA were significantly better in LSPG than in SPG. In SPG, anatomic success rate and postoperative VA tended to be better when complete removal of anteroposterior traction was possible than when impossible. In SPG, postoperative VA tended to be better when complete removal of preretinal membrane was possible, but the anatomic success rate was the same for each group. So, when severe proliferation (including table-top elevation of posterior retina), complete removal of anteroposterior traction only can improve the anatomic success rate of the surgery.
Adult ; Aged ; Cell Membrane ; Diabetic Retinopathy/physiopathology/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Visual Acuity/physiology ; Vitrectomy/*methods

Electroretinograms (ERGs) were measured in 65 patients with diabetes and 10 control subjects. The single flash ERGs were recorded as a function of the stimulus intensity. A Naka-Rushton-type function was fit to b-wave amplitudes, measured as a function of stimulus intensity, to evaluate changes in ERG amplitude and sensitivity. We also measured the temporal aspects of the ERG b-waves. The ERG sensitivity tended to decrease as the retinopathy progressed. An average sensitivity loss in eyes with diabetic retinopathy was statistically significant. However, the eyes of diabetic patients without visible retinopathy did not show significant ERG sensitivity loss. There was less variability in temporal compared with amplitude measurements of ERG components, and significantly prolonged b-wave implicit times were found in all stages of retinopathy and in eyes of diabetic patients without retinopathy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*physiopathology ; Electroretinography ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retina/physiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sensory Thresholds/physiology

Cerebral pericytes are perivascular cells that stabilize blood vessels. Little is known about the plasticity of pericytes in the adult brain in vivo. Recently, using state-of-the-art technologies, including two-photon microscopy in combination with sophisticated Cre/loxP in vivo tracing techniques, a novel role of pericytes was revealed in vascular remodeling in the adult brain. Strikingly, after pericyte ablation, neighboring pericytes expand their processes and prevent vascular dilatation. This new knowledge provides insights into pericyte plasticity in the adult brain.
Animals ; Brain ; blood supply ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Brain Diseases ; physiopathology ; Capillaries ; physiology ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; physiopathology ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Pericytes ; physiology ; Vascular Remodeling