Microperimeter may quantify retinal sensitivity in diabetic retinopathy

The microperimeter was shown to be a useful tool for quantifying retinal sensitivity in patients with diabetic retinopathy and demonstrated that sensitivity loss may correlate with disease severity.

The prospective, case-controlled analysis included 210 eyes of 160 study participants who underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Mean age was 49.83 years for healthy controls, 53.2 years for participants with diabetes and no retinopathy and 55.39 years for participants with diabetic retinopathy.

Retinal sensitivity significantly decreased with increased disease severity (P = .001). Mean foveal sensitivity in the central 2° was 11.60 ± 5.76 dB for participants with diabetic retinopathy, 14.73 ± 3.64 dB for those with only diabetes, and 16.68 ± 2.13 dB for healthy controls. Additionally, individuals with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy showed more sensitivity loss in the central 20° than those with other stages of disease.

According to the study authors, the microperimeter may detect early retinal sensitivity loss in patients with diabetes but no retinopathy, and scotoma mapping using the device may provide details of functional vision in those with diabetic retinopathy.