Study links Prediabetes to Macular Thinning

Written By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2020-11-25T12:30:48+05:30 | Updated On 25 Nov 2020 12:39 PM IST

A recent study published in British Journal of Ophthalmology evaluated the effect of prediabetes and diabetes on macular thickness and retinal vascular calibres. The researchers found that, the prediabetes have an influence in the structure of the macula.

According to the population-based study Prediabetes is associated with significant thinning of the macula and with decreases in retinal-artery diameters. These findings in early disease support the neurodegenerative theory in diabetes.

The findings of study underscore importance of controlling Blood sugar by lifestyle measures like diet control, exercise and Medicine use to prevent the complications.

The researchers conducted the study to evaluate the effect of prediabetes and diabetes on macular thickness and retinal vascular calibres in our population-based cohort (Northern Finland Birth Cohort).

It was a Northern Finland population based cohort study with 2005 subjects/ participants. They were divided into 3 groups.

57 with diabetes

1638 with prediabetes

310 with Normal glucose Metabolism

The diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes was made according to WHO 2006 diagnostic standards.Researchers measured the total thickness of the macula using Cirrus HD-OCT 4000. Central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) calibres were examined from the fundus images.

The study results showed significant macular thinning (−2.69 μm) especially in pericenrtral area among prediabetic group. Macular cube average thickness (−0.10 mm3) and Macular cube volume also decreased significantly as glucose metabolism worsened. The researchers found that central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) decreased with an increase in diabetes measures.

The author stated " We detected significant thinning of the macula in subjects with prediabetes. The diameters of retinal arteries were decreased by impaired glucose metabolism"

Author further added "This study provides a new perspective since it revealed that the early and subtle changes caused by prediabetes as macular thinning had significant ACME (average causal mediation effect )on retinal vessels (CRVE and CRAE), therefore supporting the neurodegenerative theory of diabetes-induced changes in the retina."

For further information:

https://bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2020/10/07/bjophthalmol-2020-317414.full

PrediabetesMacular Thinningretinal vascular calibresJournal of OphthalmologyDiabetesBlood sugar

Source : Journal of Ophthalmology

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751