AIM: To explore the changes of retrobulbar hemodynamics in diabetes via color doppler ultrasound.

METHODS: Totally 80 patients(160 eyes)with eye diseases in type 2 diabetes from June 2010 to May 2013 in our hospital were enrolled as research group. By fundus photography and direct ophthalmoscopy, patients were assigned to diabetes without retinopathy group(DNR subgroup), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy group(NPDR subgroup)and proliferative diabetic retinopathy group(PDR subgroup). Of 60 healthy patients(120 eyes)over the same period were chosen as control group. The doppler parameters of central retinal artery(CRA), posterior ciliary artery(PCA)and ophthalmic artery(OA)were measured.

RESULTS: There were significant differences on circulatory parameters of CRA, PCA and OA between both groups(P<0.05). Significant differences were also observed on peak systolic velocity(PSV), end diastolic velocity(EDV)and resistance index(RI)of CRA, PCA and OA among DNR subgroup, NPDR subgroup and PDR subgroup(P<0.05). The EDV, RI and PSV of control group differed from those of DNR subgroup, NPDR subgroup and PDR subgroup(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The monitoring of retinal blood flow and analysis of blood spectrum morphology via color doppler ultrasound can effectively evaluate the degree of diabetic retinopathy lesions, especially before DR vascular disease. Early detection can reveal the hemodynamic change pattern of DR, facilitating the prevention of diabetic eye complications and improvement of the quality of life.