Clinical and Anatomical Features of the Central Part of the Retina in Diabetic Macular Edema

Abstract

1.1.Purpose: To study diagnostic criterion of the pathological process in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME): morphological changes of the retinal layers, light sensitivity, macular pigment optical density. 1.2.Methods: In this study 58 patients were divided in two groups. The first group (A) include 32 patients with DME (36 eyes), the second group (B) -26 patients (38 eyes) were without retinal pathology. Parameter estimation was conducted with the use of following methods: by optical coherence tomography (OCT) of macular area of the retina; photo-registration fundus with the measurement of the optical density of macular pigment (MPOD); microperimetry. 1.3.Results: OCT analysis showed that the inner nuclear and plexiform layers of retina were the most involved in pathological process and revealed significant differences in increase of mean retinal thickness in comparison with the control group. Analysis of MPOD revealed a significant reduction of all parameters in group A compared with the control group. On the basis of microperimetry of the central area of retina in group a light sensitivity indicators were reduced by an average of 10 dB and equaled 8.94±0.09 dB. Correlation analysis of retinal thickness, functional light sensitivity and optical density of macular pigment traced a strong connection (r = -0.94; p <0.05) between the indices of retinal thickness and MPOD. 1.4.Conclusion:Showed a sharp decrease in optical density of macular pigment determined by deficiency of lutein and zeaxanthin in patients with DME. A correlation between quantitative indicator of MPOD and area of edema was established.