Optical Quality and Intraocular Scattering in the Diabetic Eye without Diabetic Retinopathy.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that despite having comparable best-corrected visual acuity and normal fundus appearance, objective measurements of optical quality showed that patients with diabetes but without overt retinopathy may have impaired visual function. Screening using the Optical Quality Analysis System might help identify those patients.

PURPOSE: Visual impairments are common in diabetes, but the status of the problem is unclear before the development of diabetic retinopathy. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the optical quality and intraocular scattering in the diabetic eye without diabetic retinopathy.

METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with diabetes without diabetic retinopathy were enrolled. Twenty-seven age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers served as a control group. Optical quality parameters included modulation transfer function cutoff frequency, Strehl (two-dimensional) ratio, and Optical Quality Analysis System values at 100, 20, and 9 contrast levels. The objective scatter index was assessed using the Optical Quality Analysis System. Correlations were analyzed between the modulation transfer function cutoff, Strehl ratio, objective scatter index, and Optical Quality Analysis System value, and the age of the patient and the duration of diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS: The diabetic group exhibited lower modulation transfer function cutoff, Strehl ratio, and Optical Quality Analysis System values at 100, 20, and 9% contrast levels and higher objective scatter index than did the controls (all, P < .01). There were no associations between the optical quality parameters and age or the duration of diabetes mellitus in the diabetic participants (all, P > .05). Moderate associations were found between all parameters obtained from the Optical Quality Analysis System and age in the control group (all, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that optical quality was reduced, and intraocular scattering increased in the diabetic eye without diabetic retinopathy compared with controls.