[Online measurement of retinal artery branches in type II diabetic patients. Initial clinical trials before and after laser coagulation].
By the use of a new online measuring system the effect of argon-laser coagulation in diabetics on the diameters of retinal arteries was measured.


METHODS
The vessel diameter of retinal branch arteries were measured in patients with type-II diabetes before and after (0.5 h) argon-laser coagulation. Ten patients without previous laser treatment were included in this study. Measurements were taken in all four quadrants by the use of a new automatic online measuring system.


RESULTS
The new technique allowed measurements to be made within an acceptable period of time and with little strain on patients. After argon-laser coagulation 56.7% of retinal arteries showed a significant vasodilation. No significant changes in vessel diameter were found in 18.9% of these arteries, whereas 24.3% showed significant vasoconstriction.


CONCLUSIONS
The new online measuring system is able to measure the effects of photocoagulation on an individual basis with a noninvasive technique. The first findings presented here confirm previous studies of larger groups, with a considerable reduction in efforts required.
Blum
M
M
Augenklinik, Friedrich Schiller-Universität Jena.
Bachmann
K
K
Pietscher
S
S
Bräuer-Burchardt
C
C
Vilser
W
W
Strobel
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D009862:Online Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation*