FP809 : Comparison of Ganglion cell-Inner plexiform layer thickness in minimal DR vis a vis healthy controls

Dr.Priyanka Pantola

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus. Various studies have shown that diabetic retinopathy has a neurodegenerative component seen in early stages of retinopathy even before vascular changes appear clinically. This study was done to evaluate the neurogenic damage to the ganglion cell – inner plexiform layers (GC-IPL) of retina in patients with minimal DR compared to healthy controls.

Methods: 25 cases with minimal DR and 25 age and gender matched healthy controls underwent OCT to measure GC-IPL thickness in pericentral macula.

Results: The mean thickness in patients with minimal DR was less as compared to controls but result was not statistically significant. With increase in duration of diabetes, there was a significant decrease in average GC – IPL thickness.

Conclusions: Damage to retinal neural layers can be considered to be an important component of DR.