title: Early neural and vascular changes in the adolescent type 1 and type 2 diabetic retina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study examines the existence and frequency of functional and structural abnormalities in the adolescent Type 1 diabetic retina. We also compare the results with those of adolescents with Type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (5.7 ± 3.6 years; mean duration ± SD), 15 with Type 2 diabetes (2.1 ± 1.3 years), and 26 age-matched control subjects were examined. Multifocal electroretinogram responses from 103 retinal regions were recorded. Optical coherence tomography was used to measure retinal thickness. Vascular diameter around the optic nerve was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine of the 32 (28%) adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and 6 of the 15 (40%) with Type 2 diabetes had significant multifocal electroretinogram implicit time delays compared with 2 of the 26 controls (8%). Retinal thicknesses in both patient groups were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) thinner than controls. The Type 2 group also showed significant (P ≤ 0.03) retinal venular dilation (235.8 ± 5.9 μm) compared with controls (219.6 ± 4.0 μm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study illustrates that subtle but significant functional and structural changes occur very early in Type 1 diabetes. Adolescents with Type 2 diabetes appear to be more affected than those with Type 1 diabetes. Further longitudinal examination of the etiology and progression of these abnormalities is warranted.
authors: School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94602-2020, USA. kbc@berkeley.edu
authors: Kevin W
authors: KW
authors: Bronson-Castain
authors: Marcus A
authors: MA
authors: Bearse
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Neuville
authors: Soffia
authors: S
authors: Jonasdottir
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: King-Hooper
authors: Shirin
authors: S
authors: Barez
authors: Marilyn E
authors: ME
authors: Schneck
authors: Anthony J
authors: AJ
authors: Adams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult