AIM: To evaluate the changes in visual function of pattern visual evoked potentials, retina oscillatory potentials and optical nerve fibre layer thickness(RNFL)in diabetic retinopathy patients in preclinical stage.

METHODS: In this stuy, 89 diabetic retinopathy patients in preclinical stage and 80 normal subjects were collected. The latency and amplitude of the pattern visual evoked potentials(P-VEP)P100, the summed amplitudes of the oscillatory potentials(Ops), the amplitudes of the suboseillatory potentials, and RNFL thickness by RTVue OCT were observed, and the results were analyzed.

RESULTS: The latency of the pattern visual evoked potentials P100 in diabetic patients group was statistically delayed than that in normal group(t=-10.633,P=0.000). The amplitude of the P-VEP P100 in diabetic patients group was also significantly reduced than that in normal group(t=3.610, P=0.000). The summed amplitudes of the oscillatory potentials, the amplitudes of the suboseillatory potentials in diabetic patients group were significantly decreased by normal group(t=17.320, P=0.000; t=3.239, P=0.000; t=4.144, P=0.000; t=7.666, P=0.000; t=5.319, P=0.000). Compared with normal group, the average RNFL thickness, the nosal quadrant, the inferior quadrant and the temporal quadrant of RNFL thickness in diabetic patients group were no statistiacally different from normal group(t=1.730, P=0.085; t=0.664, P=0.547; t=1.923, P=0.063; t=1.814, P=0.072), while the superior quadrant of RNFL thickness was significant thinner than that of normal group(t=7.989, P=0.000).

CONCLUSION: The visual function in optical nerve and macula decreases among diabetic retinopathy patients in preclinical stage.