Background: In patients with diabetic maculopathy, evaluation of visual acuity alone may not represent central retinal function sufficiently. Despite good visual acuity, patients may suffer from visual disturbances like waviness, relative scotoma, loss of fixation and decrease of contrast sensitivity. The aim of the study was to assess localized light sensitivity in the central visual field and to determine fixation stability in patients with diabetic maculopathy with moderate visual loss in comparison to healthy controls. Methods: Twenty-seven patients (mean age: 54 ± 15; range 17–81 years) with diabetic maculopathy and 61 controls (mean age: 45 ± 22; range 18–85 years) were included in the study. Light sensitivity was quantified by presenting stimuli with different light intensity with simultaneous real-time monitoring of the retina (intensity: 0–27.9 dB; size: Goldmann III, wavelength: 633 nm). Eye movements were controlled by semiautomatic fundus tracking. Fixation stability was quantified by measuring the area within 75% of all points of fixation. Results: Fixation stability was significantly decreased in diabetic patients in comparison to controls (43 ± 22 vs. 31 ± 16 arc min, p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in macular light sensitivity in diabetic patients compared to controls (19.6 ± 0.5 dB), both in mean difference (15.6 ± 1.4 dB) and if affected with macular edema (16.1 ± 4.5 dB), hard exudates (13.3 ± 6.7 dB), nonperfusion areas (10.3 ± 7.9 dB) and laser burns (3.0 ± 6.1 dB). Temporal parts of the macula were more affected than other parts. No correlation was found between visual acuity and foveal light sensitivity and foveal fixation, respectively. Conclusion: Macular light sensitivity decreased progressively with the kind and severity of retinal alteration independent of visual acuity. The assessment of macular light sensitivity and stability of fixation with automatic threshold microperimetry may help to identify patients with diabetic maculopathy and could improve the management of diabetic maculopathy.

ABSTRACT.Background: Infrared (IR) imaging improved by using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. The greater penetration of infrared light compared with visible wavelengths permits better visualization of subretinal structures such as drusen, hyperpigmentations and choroidal new vessels. Furthermore, using the indirect mode of the instrument to detect laterally scattered light, drusen and shallow detachments of the neuroretina can easily be visualized as prominent structures. In this study we investigated the potential use of non-invasive infrared imaging in follow-up examination of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Methods: All patients with an acute CSCR underwent fluorescein angiographic studies (488 nm) and infrared imaging (788 nm) in indirect mode using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO 101; Rodenstock) at baseline and follow-up after 3-5 weeks. Results: The detachment of the neuroretina could easily be visualized by infrared imaging as prominent, oval-shaped structures. The height varied corresponding to the clinical course, whereas the extent showed no relation to the change in symptoms. Conclusion: IR-imaging is a quick, non-invasive tool which may efficiently be used in chorioretinal diseases. In CSCR patients it provides an adjunct in clinical follow-up by monitoring the course of the disease and the effect of treatment concepts.

Alterations of the perifoveal network are found in patients with arterial hypertension. These alterations are similar under antihypertensive monotherapy using beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor or calcium channel blocker.

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