Colour Doppler ultrasound evaluation of orbital vessels in diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the role of colour Doppler imaging in the retrobulbar vascular circulation in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Maximum (V(max)), end-diastolic (V(min)) and average (V(mean)) velocities of blood flows and pulsatility index and resistivity index (RI) in central retinal artery (CRA), short branches of posterior ciliary artery (PCA) and ophthalmic artery of the 65 diabetic and 22 control eyes were measured. The CRA V(max) level in the control group was significantly higher than in DR groups. The CRA V(mean) level was also significantly higher in the control group than in the mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and the moderate NPDR groups. The CRA RI value was significantly higher in the control group than in the nonretinopathy group. The CRA V(min) and the ophthalmic artery RI values were found significantly higher in the nonretinopathy group than in the moderate NPDR group. There were significant decreases in the some CRA and PCA values as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels increase in diabetic group. There was a positive correlation between the duration of diabetes and HbA1c levels. This study showed the presence of some dynamic circulatory alterations in the nonretinopathy group with diabetes and DR groups. It was also shown that there is a negative correlation between HbA1c and some orbital vascular velocities.

Orbital Doppler Evaluation of Blood Flow Velocities in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

“…These studies focused only on some of the orbital vessels and measured indices and velocities in specific diabetic or control groups. They were usually of limited sample size, and the results produced were inconsistent [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”

“…However, the role of hemodynamics in DR has not been clearly defined [2]. There have also been conflicting reports of impaired hemodynamics in the orbital vessels in patients with DR [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Orbital blood flow velocities were increased in some studies [3], but decreased in others [4, 9-11, 13, 14], or unchanged [15].…”

The Hippo signaling pathway: a potential therapeutic target is reversed by a Chinese patent drug in rats with diabetic retinopathy

“…Color Doppler imaging is a noninvasive, reproducible, and easily applied technique, and it has been shown to be useful in evaluating hemodynamic changes in several orbital and retinal vascular diseases [18]. It has been reported that blood flow velocity in the CRA was decreased in rats with DR [14].…”

The Effects of 23-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy on Orbital Circulation Using Doppler Ultrasonography in Diabetic Macular Edema with Epiretinal Membrane and Taut Posterior Hyaloid

“…[15][16][17] However, conflicting reports regarding impaired hemodynamics in the orbital vessels in patients with DR have emerged. Orbital blood flow velocities increased in some studies, 18 yet decreased in others 10,16,[19][20][21][22][23][24] or else remained unchanged. 25 Nevertheless, PPV for DR complications may affect ocular hemodynamics.…”