Retinal Neurovascular Impairment in Full-Course Diabetic Retinopathy: The Guangdong Diabetic Retinopathy Multiple-Omics Study

Chunran Lai, Ting Su, Jiahui Cao, Qinyi Li, Zijing Du, Yaxin Wang, Shan Wang, Qiaowei Wu, Yijun Hu, Ying Fang, Huiyi Liao, Zhuoting Zhu, Xianwen Shang, Mingguang He (Corresponding Author), Honghua Yu (Corresponding Author), Xiayin Zhang (Corresponding Author)

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to explore the succession of the central and peripheral neurovascular and microstructural impairments in patients with full-course diabetic retinopathy (DR), consisting of preclinical DR, nonproliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). METHODS. Our analysis included 81 participants (including 23 healthy controls, 23 with preclinical DR [diabetes without retinopathy], 13 with NPDR, and 22 with PDR) from the Guangdong Diabetic Retinopathy Multiple Omics Study. Retinal structure and function were evaluated and quantified using ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (UWF-SS-OCTA), electroretinography (ERG), and adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO). Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between structural parameters and functional parameters. RESULTS. In the preclinical DR group, decreased amplitude in the DR assessment protocol were observed (P = 0.003), with no changes in structure and photoreceptor cells (all P > 0.05). In the NPDR group, photoreceptor cells were impaired (all P < 0.05) with delayed implicit time in the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) Photopic flicker protocol, increased macular and inner nuclear layer thickness, and decreased vessel density and perfusion area of the deep capillary plexus (all P < 0.05). In the PDR group, delayed implicit time and decreased amplitude in the ISCEV Photopic flicker and photopic negative response (PhNR) protocol, and neurovascular impairments were observed (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between functional parameters and various structural indicators (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS. The cone pathway function began to decline in preclinical DR and distinct photoreceptor cell disorders were observed in NPDR. Notably, instruments with a wider field of view or more detailed microscopic techniques will provide enhanced neurovascular imaging, offering fresh insights into full-course DR.
Original languageEnglish
Article number20
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume65
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Dec 2024

Keywords

  • adaptive optics
  • diabetic retinopathy (DR)
  • full-course diabetic retinopathy (full-course DR)
  • neurovascular damage

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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