Distinct nasal and temporal variations in superficial vascular density as early indicators of diabetic retinopathy
By
Ziyan Ma
Fujuan Yu
Huan Li
Yang Liu
Bolin Deng
Yong Zeng
January 3, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Distinct nasal and temporal variations in superficial vascular density as early indicators of diabetic retinopathy
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) Key Mechanisms Utilization of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) for detailed three-dimensional vascular imaging. Target Population Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), specifically those with and without diabetic retinopathy. Care Setting Ophthalmology Department, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Key Highlights
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision impairment globally. OCTA provides superior imaging capabilities compared to traditional methods. Peripheral capillary dropout density is a key parameter for distinguishing DR stages. Wider field imaging (24 × 20 mm) enhances detection of vascular changes. Study involved 37 DR patients, 40 DM patients without DR, and 30 healthy controls. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of DR based on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria. Use of OCTA for comprehensive assessment of retinal microvasculature. Management
Early screening and treatment strategies to reduce DR-induced blindness. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regular monitoring of vascular density changes using OCTA. Risks
Exclusion of patients with severe ocular opacities or other retinal diseases. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults over 18 years diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
No intraocular laser therapy or anti-VEGF treatment in enrolled DR patients.
Clinical Best Practices
Utilize OCTA for early detection of diabetic retinopathy. Conduct comprehensive ophthalmic examinations for accurate diagnosis. Ensure high-quality OCTA images (quality index > 8) for reliable assessments. References
