Purpose: We studied the choroidal circulation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) to assess whether choroidal
hemodynamic abnormalities may exist in PDR.
Methods: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients with PDR and high-risk characteristics for visual loss were included in this study. Mean duration
of diabetes was 20 ± 9 years (mean ± SD), hemoglobin A1c was 8.9 ± 2.3%, and blood glucose at the time of blood flow measurement
was 188 ± 90 mg/dl. Choroidal circulatory parameters obtained in these patients were compared to those of 35 eyes of 35 age
and blood pressure matched, healthy controls using a Wilcoxon rank sum test. Laser Doppler flowmetry (Oculix) was used to
calculate relative choroidal blood velocity (Ch
vel), volume (Ch
vol), and flow (Ch
flow) in the center of the foveola.
Results: No significant differences in average age, mean blood pressure (BP
m), or perfusion pressure (PP) were observed between diabetic patients and control subjects. In diabetic patients, Ch
vol was 0.29 ± 0.08 (mean ± 1 SD) arbitrary units (AU); this value was 15% lower than that of control subjects, 0.34 ± 0.10 AU
(
p = 0.04). In contrast, average Ch
vel was not significantly different between subjects with PDR (0.39 ± 0.07 AU) and control subjects (0.41 ± 0.07 AU). The average
Ch
flow in subjects with PDR (9.4 ± 2.9 AU) was 27% lower than that of control subjects (12.8 ± 4.2 AU;
p = 0.003). No significant correlation was detected between the circulatory measurements and age, BP
m, or PP. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between duration of diabetes and Ch
vel (
R = −0.55;
p = 0.03).
Conclusions: Our results suggest that Ch
vol and Ch
flow are significantly reduced in patients with PDR.
choroidal blood flow - laser Doppler velocimetry - proliferative diabetic retinopathy