In vivo dynamic light scattering changes of the vitreous in diabetes mellitus

Purpose. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a well known non-invasive diagnostic tool used in the anter or segment. In this study in vivo DLS measurements of the human vitreous have been performed to detect changes during the course of diabetes mellitus both with and without diabetic retinopathy. Material and Methods. 50 diabetes mellitus patients with ocular complications varying form no diabetic retinopathy through to severe diabetic retnopathy were examined using DLS techniques. Measurements were performed at different topographical locations of the vitreous, the retrovitreal space and the retina. The results were compared to measurements of 50 normal subjects. Results. The autocorrelation function obtained from the DLS signal in the normal vitreous exhibits two peaks which correspond to the contribution from macromolecules These peaks were found to alter, either in applitude or location, during the course of diabetic retinopathy. The degree and form of these alterations was correlated to the severity of the ocular complicatons in the structures investigated. DLS measurements in the cornea exhibited similar effects to those made in the vitreous. Conclusions. DLS is capable of detecting the changes of the vitreous associated with diabetes mellitus. Moreover, due to the close correlation of the DLS results with the severity of viteo-retinal changes, DLS may serve as an important tool for the early diagnosis and monitoring of ocular complications due to diabetes mellitus.