[Grading of diabetic retinopathy from non-stereoscopic color fundus photographs--relationship to fluorescein angiography findings and three-year prognosis].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the grading of diabetic retinopathy from non-stereoscopic color fundus photographs, we examined the relation of the photos to fluorescein angiography findings and to the three-year prognosis.

METHODS: Fifty diabetic patients(70 eyes) who had severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or early proliferative retinopathy without photocoagulation treatment were graded regarding 11 items of four-field fundus photographs using a 50-degree mydriatic camera. Fluorescein angiography was performed and the relation of the images to the grades of diabetic retinopathy were analyzed. In 51 eyes, the relation between the grading and the progression and treatment of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated.

RESULTS: The grading of microaneurysms and retinal hemorrhages (p < 0.001), soft exudates (p = 0.01), intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (p < 0.001), arteriolar white threads (p = 0.003), venous loops (p = 0.01), and new vessels (p < 0.001) was significantly related to the nonperfused areas on fluorescein angiograms. The grading of diabetic retinopathy was also significantly related to the threeyear prognosis.

CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the grading of diabetic retinopathy from fundus photographs may have a potential advantage over conventional classifications of diabetic retinopathy.