Assessment of blood flow in the ocular circulation in type 2 diabetes patients with Color Doppler imaging

Purpose
Color Doppler assessment of blood flow in ocular circulation in type 2 diabetes patients

Material and methods
Total of 56 patients were included in the study and divided into 3 groups: group I – control group, group II – type 2 diabetes patients without diabetic retinopathy, group III – type 2 diabetes patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. USG Color Doppler method was used in all patients to assess peak systolic blood velocity (PSV), end-diastolic blood velocity (ESV) and resistivity index (RI) in the following arteries: ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA). In addition several clinical parameters including age, diabetes duration, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and blood glucose level with empty stomach were statistically analyzed.

Results
Peak systolic blood velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic blood velocity (ESV) in ophthalmic artery (OA) in diabetic patients were significantly lower in comparison to the control group. Peak systolic blood velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic blood velocity (ESV) in central retinal artery (CRA) were significantly lower only in patients with diabetic retinopathy. In short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCA) only peak systolic blood velocity (PSV) was decreased in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Average age of patients was significantly higher in the group with diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes duration was significantly longer in group III in comparison to group II.

Conclusions
Color Doppler imaging method is useful for assessing blood flow in ocular circulation. Blood flow in ophthalmic artery is decreased in patients with diabetes. Reduction of blood flow in central retinal artery and short posterior ciliary arteries can be significant in the development of diabetic retinopathy.