Role of Fundus Fluorescein Angiography in Early Diabetic Maculopathy: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To assess the role of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) for early detection of diabetic maculopathy.
 Study Design: Prospective Cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration: Department of Ophthalmology, unit II Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, Hyderabad between March 2020 to March 2021.
 Methodology: Diabetic patients above the age of 20 years were screened by visual acuity recording, fundus, slit-lamp examination, and Fundus fluorescein angiography. Complete ophthalmic detail was obtained from each participant using pre-designed Proforma. Outcomes of the study were recorded.
 Results: A total of 100 subjects having 200 eyes were observed in the study. There were 53(53%) males and 47(47%) females with a mean age of 54±21.22 years. FFA was done in 124(62%) eyes. Diabetic maculopathy with diabetic retinopathy was higher in moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) 53(42.7%) followed by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) 22(17.7%), severe NPDR 20(16.1%), and mild NPDR 08(6.5%). Most of the subjects 79(63.7%) had the diffuse type of leakage followed by focal 33(26.6%) and mixed type of leakage. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and Central Macular Thickness (CMT) were improved at the 3rd and 6th-month follow-up visit as compared to baseline visit.
 Conclusion: Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), a diagnostic method of diabetic retinopathy is reliable, more accurate, and precise. Our study recommends that diabetic patients should be regularly screened through FFA to save the precious vision of the diabetic population.