Disorganization of Inner Retina and Outer Retinal Morphology in Diabetic Macular Edema

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) represents a spectrum of pathological changes that occur in the microvasculature of the eye in patients with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a characteristic feature of DR and an important cause of vision loss in people with diabetes.¹ In patients with DME, fluid accumulates within the macular tissue layers as a consequence of failure of the blood-retinal barrier. Typically DME causes blurring and distortion of vision, which is reflected in a reduction in visual acuity (VA). The Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy (WESDR)² found that 20% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 25% of those with type 2 diabetes will develop DME after 10 years of follow-up.