title: Retinal vascular geometry in Asian persons with diabetes and retinopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to examine the relationship of retinal vascular parameters with diabetes and retinopathy in an older Asian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retinal photographs from participants of a population-based survey of Asian Malay persons aged 40-80 years were analyzed. Specific retinal vascular parameters (tortuosity, branching angle, fractal dimension, and caliber) were measured using a semiautomated computer-based program. Diabetes was defined as random plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/liter, the use of diabetes medication, or physician-diagnosed diabetes. Retinopathy signs were graded from photographs using the modified Airlie House classification system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2735 persons were included in the study. Persons with diabetes (n = 594) were more likely to have straighter (less tortuous) arterioles and wider arteriolar and venular caliber than those without diabetes (n = 2141). Among subjects with diabetes, those with retinopathy had wider venular caliber than those without retinopathy (211.3 versus 204.9 mm, p = .001). Among nondiabetic subjects, however, those with retinopathy had more tortuous venules than those without retinopathy [5.19(×10(4)) versus 4.27(×10(4)), p < .001].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retinal vascular parameters varied by diabetes and retinopathy status in this older Asian cohort. Our findings suggest that subtle alterations in retinal vascular architecture are influenced by diabetes.
authors: Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore. carol.cheung.y.l@seri.com.sg
authors: Carol Yim-lui
authors: CY
authors: Cheung
authors: Ecosse
authors: E
authors: Lamoureux
authors: M Kamran
authors: MK
authors: Ikram
authors: M Bayu
authors: MB
authors: Sasongko
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Ding
authors: Yingfeng
authors: Y
authors: Zheng
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Mitchell
authors: Jie Jin
authors: JJ
authors: Wang
authors: Tien Yin
authors: TY
authors: Wong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology