Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment of Macular and Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in Relation to Hemoglobin A1C

Abstract

Background: Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80 % of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. Despite these intimidating statistics, research indicates that at least 90% of these new cases could be reduced if there were proper treatment and monitoring of the eyes blindness. Objective: To evaluate the relation of macular and choroidal thickness to HbA1c in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Patients and methods: This study included 40 eyes of 33 patients with a diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Patients were recruited from Retinal Clinic in Imbaba Eye Hospital and they were asked to participate in this study. This study was designed as an observational, cross-sectional and non-coherent study in the period from 5/2018 to 4/2019. Results: the results showed that the macular thickness was higher and the choroidal thickness was lower in uncontrolled HbA1c group than controlled HbA1c group. We assumed that increase level of glycosylated hemoglobin lead to increase macular thickness and decrease choroidal thickness and increase incidence of diabetic macular edema and choroidal atrophy. Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography is a sensitive and noninvasive diagnostic tool in the evaluation of macular and choroidal thickness. Hypertension is also an important risk factor in the development of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema and diabetic choroidopathy.