How early can we detect diabetic retinopathy? A narrative review of imaging tools for structural assessment of the retina.
Authors
Affiliations (7)
Affiliations (7)
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK. [email protected].
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. [email protected].
- UCL Medical School, University College London, London, UK. [email protected].
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
- UCL Medical School, University College London, London, UK.
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
- Occuity, Reading, London, UK.
Abstract
Despite current screening models, enhanced imaging modalities, and treatment regimens, diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains one of the leading causes of vision loss in working age adults. DR can result in irreversible structural and functional retinal damage, leading to visual impairment and reduced quality of life. Given potentially irreversible photoreceptor damage, diagnosis and treatment at the earliest stages will provide the best opportunity to avoid visual disturbances or retinopathy progression. We will review herein the current structural imaging methods used for DR assessment and their capability of detecting DR in the first stages of disease. Imaging tools, such as fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography angiography and adaptive optics-assisted imaging will be reviewed. Finally, we describe the future of DR screening programmes and the introduction of artificial intelligence as an innovative approach to detecting subtle changes in the diabetic retina. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.