AIM: To observe the anterior chamber angle shape of patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR)at different stages using OCT, and to explore a more sensitive and accurate glaucoma preventing measure.

METHODS: A total of 613 cases of DR patients were divided into proliferation phase group(353 cases)and background phase group(260 cases), another 100 cases of patients with only diabetes were selected as control group. OCT was used to detect the anterior chamber angle related parameters, including angle opening distance(AOD), trabecular-iris space area(TISA), angle recess area(ARA), anterior chamber depth(ACD)and anterior chamber angle(ACA).

RESULTS: There were significant difference among AOD500, AOD750, TISA500, TISA750, ARA500 and ARA750 of control group, proliferation phase group and background phase group(P<0.01). The proliferation phase group was the lowest, AOD500, AOD750, TISA500, TISA750, ARA500 and ARA750 were 0.60±0.22mm, 0.78±0.39mm, 0.22±0.12mm², 0.45±0.19mm², 0.29±0.18mm and 0.46±0.15mm, respectively. There were significant difference among ACA500, ACA750, ACD500 and ACD750 of control group, proliferation phase group and background phase group(P<0.01). The proliferation phase group was the lowest, ACA500, ACA750, ACD500 and ACD750 were 30.29°±8.19°, 21.20°±7.40°, 2.32±0.23μm and 2.52±0.16μm, respectively. In addition, ROC results indicated that all these indices exert significant difference on evaluating the stage of DR.

CONCLUSION: Anterior chamber angle shape detected using OCT can reflect the change of retinopathy. OCT is an accurate and simple technique for detecting DR staging.