Retinal and Vascular Damage in Long-Standing Diabetes

A Biopsy Study of the Kidney in Diabetes Mellitus

“…The relation of this postulated metabolie disturbance to hyperglyccemia and its therapeutic control with insulin is of the greatest importance in the prevention and treatment of the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Although many authors have suggested that control of hyperglyccemia reduces the frequency of complications (Mann et alii, 1949;Wilson et alii, 1951), there is considerable evidence that control of hyperglyccemia alone does not materially affect the course of diabetic vascular disease (Dolger, 1947;Croom and Scott, 1949 ;Gilliland, 1951). This is borne out by the present study.…”

Vessel Measurements in Diabetic Fundi

“…It is widely accepted that the normal venous-arteriolar ratio is 3: 2. The uniform distension or turgescence of the larger veins was first noted by Mylius (1937) who noticed that the venous-arteriolar ratio was commonly increased to 4 : 2 in diabetic fundi and this ratio has been confirmed in many diabetics by other observers (Ballantyne & Michaelson 1947, Croom & Scott 1949). These observations were, however, based on ophthalmoscopic examination and therefore presumably open to a large degree of observer error.…”

Diet in Diabetes

“…As for diabetic retinopathy,-Ballantyne (1946) stated: " The outstanding paradox is the lack of any apparent relation between the severity of the diabetes, the control of the condition by treatment, and the presence or absence of retinal changes." Ballantyne's opinion is endorsed by Wagener (1945) and by Croom and Scott (1949).…”