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Classification of proliferative diabetic retinopathy

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Abstract

Using panretinal fluorescein angiography, three patterns (A, B, C) of capillary nonperfusion were identified in 308 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant association with different retinal complications and clinical parameters. Pattern A (83.7%: midperipheral location of capillary nonperfusion) occurs in type I and II diabetes and is associated with early retinal neovascularization and focal macular edema. Pattern B (8.1%: capillary exclusions disseminated on the whole retina) is typical of young type-I diabetics and is complicated by early disc new vessels and ischemic maculopathy. Pattern C (8.1 %: capillary nonperfusion confined to the peripheral retina) is observed in type-I diabetic females and associated with multiple, retinal new vessels, without maculopathy. This study also demonstrated that eyes with pattern B retinal ischemia respond less well to laser treatment than eyes with other pattern types. Various pathogenetic factors could lead to these three distinct types of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

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Presented at the XVth Meeting of the Club Jules Gonin, Copenhagen, 10-15 August 1986

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Piccolino, F.C., Zingirian, M. & Mosci, C. Classification of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 225, 245–250 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02150141

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02150141

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