Quantitative Analysis of Aqueous Flare in Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We performed quantitative analysis of aqueous flare to evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus on the flare values reflecting microvascular injuries of the retina. METHODS: We compared aqueous flare values of diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (80 patients, 160 eyes), with those of normal control group (21 persons, 42 eyes) and diabetic retinopathy patients (20 patients, 40 eyes). The correlation between flare values and the risk factors of diabetic retinopathy was evaluated in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: Flare values were highest in diabetic retinopathy patients, and higher in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy than normal control group with statistical significance (p<0.01). Flare values were not significantly correlated with the risk factors of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular injury appears to be developed in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy.