Early breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier in diabetes

Br J Ophthalmol. 1975 Nov;59(11):649-56. doi: 10.1136/bjo.59.11.649.

Abstract

The blood-retinal barrier plays an important part in the processes of retinal pathophysiology. A new clinical method for the study of the blood-retinal barrier by vitreous fluorophotometry appears to satisfy the necessary requirements in that it is quantitative and shows good reproducibility and high sensitivity. The application of this method to a series of diabetic patients with apparently "normal" fundi revealed the presence of a significant breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier in the early stages of retinal involvement in diabetes. The extent of the breakdown can be measured allowing for comparative and evolutionary evaluations. The disturbance of the blood-retinal barrier, as evidence by vitreous fluorophotometry, appears before microaneurysms or capillary closure can be demonstrated by fluorescein angiography.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Capillary Permeability*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / pathology
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / physiopathology*
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fluoresceins / analysis
  • Fluoresceins / blood
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Photometry / methods
  • Rabbits
  • Retinal Vessels / physiopathology*
  • Vitreous Body / analysis

Substances

  • Fluoresceins