AIM: To investigate the correlation between retinal thickness(CSRT)in the macular region and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: Totally 39 cases of patients with diabetes(77 eyes)who screened from May 2016 to March 2017 were selected, and were divided into two groups according to the levels of HbA1c, which the 24 cases(47 eyes)in the low HbA1c group(HbA1c<8%)and 15 cases(30 eyes)in high HbA1c group(HbA1c≥8%). Other 22 cases of normal people(normal control group)and who for healthy physical examination were selected in the same period. Then, the correlation between HbA1c level and CSRT were analyzed by the Spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTS: In the high HbA1c group, HbA1c was(10.45±1.30)%, FBG was 10.67±1.64mmol/L and 2hPG was 15.98±1.38mmol/L, which was higher than that in the low HbA1c group, and there was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05). The CSRT in the normal group was lower than the low HbA1c group and the high HbA1c group, and there was significant difference between the groups(P<0.05). According to the analysis of the Spearman method, there was positive correlation between HbA1c and CSRT, macular volume, average macular thickness, FBG and those parameters, 2hPG and them(P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: The HbA1c level is associated with retinal thickening in the macular region of patients with diabetes, which could predict the severity of diabetic retinopathy and provide important guidance for prevention and treatment.