[Grading of diabetic retinopathy from non-stereoscopic color fundus photographs--relationship to fluorescein angiography findings and three-year prognosis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the grading of diabetic retinopathy from non-stereoscopic color fundus photographs, we examined the relation of the photos to fluorescein angiography findings and to the three-year prognosis.


METHODS
Fifty diabetic patients(70 eyes) who had severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or early proliferative retinopathy without photocoagulation treatment were graded regarding 11 items of four-field fundus photographs using a 50-degree mydriatic camera. Fluorescein angiography was performed and the relation of the images to the grades of diabetic retinopathy were analyzed. In 51 eyes, the relation between the grading and the progression and treatment of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated.


RESULTS
The grading of microaneurysms and retinal hemorrhages (p < 0.001), soft exudates (p = 0.01), intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (p < 0.001), arteriolar white threads (p = 0.003), venous loops (p = 0.01), and new vessels (p < 0.001) was significantly related to the nonperfused areas on fluorescein angiograms. The grading of diabetic retinopathy was also significantly related to the threeyear prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicated that the grading of diabetic retinopathy from fundus photographs may have a potential advantage over conventional classifications of diabetic retinopathy.
Kitano
Shigehiko
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Diabetes Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.
D003116:Color; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D010781:Photography; D011379:Prognosis; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors