Progression of diabetic retinopathy： the Beijing Eye Study

Background Diabetic retinopathy （DR） has emerged as a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the working-aged population worldwide. This study aimed to assess frequency and associated factors of progression of DR in subjects with known diabetes in a population-based setting. Methods The Beijing Eye Study is a population based study performed in Greater Beijing in 2001 and 2006. The present investigation included all subjects with known diabetes mellitus in 2001, who participated in the follow-up examination in 2006. Fundus photographs were assessed. Results The study included 170 subjects; 51 （30%） subjects showed signs of DR in 2001 and were re-examined in 2006, 36 （21.2%） subjects （18 subjects with DR present at baseline, 18 subjects with newly diagnosed DR in 2006） showed a progression of DR during follow-up. Progression of DR was associated with rural region （odds ratio （OR）： 5.43, P=0.001） and self-reported arterial hypertension （OR： 3.85, P=0.023）. In the non-progressive subgroup, presence of DR was associated with different levels of education （〈middle school, middle school, college or higher, OR： 0.30, P=-0.023）, treatment modes of diabetes mellitus （OR： 10.24, P=0.003） and cataract surgery （OR： 9.14, P=0.007）. Conclusions In a population-based setting in Greater Beijing, progression of DR occurred in 35% of subjects with pre-existing DR and overall in 21% of subjects with known diabetes within a 5-year period. Progression of DR was significantly associated with rural region and self-reported arterial hypertension. In the stable subjects, presence of DR was significantly associated with poor educational level, insulin treatment of diabetes and cataract surgery.

10-year fundus tessellation progression and retinal vein occlusion

AIM： To access the 10-year fundus tessellation progression in patients with retinal vein occlusion. METHODS： The Beijing Eye Study 2001/2011 is a populationbased longitudinal study. The study participants underwent a detailed physical and ophthalmic examination. Degree of fundus tessellation was graded by using fundus photographs of the macula and optic disc. Progression of fundus tessellation was calculated by fundus tessellation degree of 2011 minus degree of 2001. Fundus photographs were used for assessment of retinal vein occlusion. RESULTS： The Beijing Eye Study included 4403 subjects in 2001, 3468 subjects was repeated in 2011. Assessment of retinal vein obstruction and fundus tessellation progression were available for 2462 subjects（71.0%）, with 66 subjects fulfilled the diagnosis of retinal vein occlusion. Of the 66 participants, 59 participants with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion, 5 participants with unilateral central retinal vein occlusion, 1 participant with bilateral branch retinal vein occlusion, and 1 participant with branch retinal vein occlusion in one eye and central retinal vein occlusion in the other eye. Mean degree of peripapillary fundus tessellation progression were significantly higher in the whole retinal vein occlusion group（0.33±0.39, P〈0.001）, central retinal vein occlusion group（0.71±0.8, P=0.025） and branch retinal vein occlusion group（0.29±0.34, P=0.006） than the control group（0.20±0.26）. After adjustment for age, prevalence of tilted disc, change of best corrected visual acuity, axial length, progression of peripapillary fundus tessellation was associated with the presence of retinal vein occlusion（P=0.004; regression coefficient B, 0.094; 95%CI, 0.029, 0.158; standardized coefficient B, 0.056）. As a corollary, after adjusting for smoking duration, systolic blood pressure, anterior corneal curvature, prevalence of RVO was associated with more peripapillary fundus tessellation progression（P〈0.001; regression coefficient B： 1.257; OR： 3.517; 95%CI： 1.777, 6.958）. CONCLUSION： Peripapillary fundus tessellation progresses faster in individuals with retinal vein occlusion. This may reflect the thinning and hypoperfusion of choroid in patients with retinal vein occlusion.