Eye vessels doppler sonography and optical coherence tomography in assessing the effectiveness of treatment of patients with diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Aim. To study the properties of eye vessels Doppler sonography and retinal optical coherence tomography in assessing the treatment effectiveness in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Methods. 122 patients (244 eyes) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy aged 41 to 55 years were examined. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 15 years. All patients were treated with glibenclamide and supportive therapy: eye drops of 1% methylethylpiridinol - 1 drop 3 times a day, 20% pyracetam solution - 5 ml intravenously for 14 days. Patients were divided into 4 groups: 1st group included 30 patients who were administered with Hirudo powder, 2nd group consisted of 32 patients treated with Hirudo powder in combination with laser photocoagulation, 3rd group included 30 patients treated by laser photocoagulation and 4th group consisted of 30 patients who were treated with glibenclamide and supportive therapy only. All patients were examined before and 4 days after treatment, examination included standard ophthalmic examination, retinal optical coherence tomography and eye vessels pulsed color Doppler sonography. Results. Improvement of circulation parameters resulting in increased blood flow speed and decrease of vascular resistance index, as well as visual acuity improvement, reduction of macular edema were registered in the first group after the treatment. In the 2nd group, significant improvement of circulation parameters as increased blood flow speed and decrease of vascular resistance index, visual acuity increase, reducing of the area and height of macular edema were observed. In the 3rd group, deterioration of circulation parameters as decreased blood flow speed and increase of vascular resistance index, slight visual acuity increase and reducing of the area and macular edema height were observed. In the 4th group improvement of circulation parameters was non-significant as well as visual acuity change and retinal condition. Thus, combination of Hirudo powder and retinal laser photocoagulation was the most effective method, leading to improvement of circulation parameters, visual acuity increase, reduction of macular edema. Conclusion. Quantitative analysis of retinal optical coherence tomography and eye vessels Doppler sonography parameters and their link to visual acuity testing allows to assess completely the effectiveness of conducted treatment.