Modifying factors related to asymmetric diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the modifying factors related to the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: Thirty-eight eyes of 19 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with maintained asymmetric PDR were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Five patients with ipsilateral carotid stenoses > or = 90% had PDR. Four patients with high myopia over 6 dioptres and 4 patients with optic atrophy and at least a quadrant defect in the visual field had non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Of 6 patients with unilateral asteroid hyalosis, 5 had no posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and PDR.

Conclusion: Two factors reached statistical significance as factors modifying PDR: carotid occlusive disease and PVD. Optic atrophy and high myopia showed trends of being a protective influence.