Peripheral vessel leakage in diabetic retinopathy using Wide field retinal angiography

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the peripheral vessel leakage in patients with non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) using a wide field fluorescein angiographyMethodsIn a retrospective study, consecutive wide‐field angiographs obtained using the Heidelberg Retina Angiograph 2 with a contact lens system Staurenghi, were graded in: peripheral vascular leakage, areas of retinal non perfusion, retinal neovascularization observed overly of conventional 7 standard fields.ResultsA total of 71 eyes in 39 diabetic patients were included. Distribution of NPDR severity was: mild NPDR in 6% of eyes, moderate NPDR in 21% and severe NPDR in 73%. Findings included angiographic peripheral vessel leakage in 85%, peripheral non perfusion in 87% of eyes, neovascularization in 14%, macular edema in 53%, and macular ischemia in 4%. Peripheral vessel leakage was associated with peripheral non‐perfusion (p < 0.001) but not with retinal neovascularization (53 vs. 35%, p = 0.01), neither with macular edema (p = 0.449).ConclusionsThis study had characterized peripheral vessel leakage (PVL), and shown a correlation with peripheral non‐perfusion. Peripheral non‐perfusion and PVL appeared to be markers of active diabetic retinopathy.