AIM: To investigate the advantages of ultra-wide-field fluorescein angiography(UWFA)over the standard fundus examination in the evaluation of diabetic retinopathy(DR).

METHODS: Forty-five cases(90 eyes)with DR in Xi'an No.3 Hospital from October 2016 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, including 25 males and 20 females, aged from 45-76(59.52±15.78)years. There were 25 males and 20 females. Average age were 59.5 years. All patients were examined with ophthalmoscope and UWFA.

RESULTS: Depending on ophthalmoscope, 12 eyes with no DR, 42 eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR), and 36 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR), diagnosed by the standard method. 22 eyes of 90 eyes received retinal photocoagulation, including 8 eyes received panretinal photocoagulation(PRP). Depending on UWFA images, peripheral microaneurysms were demonstrated in 8(67%)of 12 eyes with no DR. Peripheral retinal neovascularizations were detected in 4(10%)of 42 eyes with NPDR and in 12(33%)of 36 eyes with PDR. Peripheral vascular nonperfusions were found in 28(67%)of 42 eyes with NPDR and in 26(72%)of 36 eyes with PDR. Peripheral vascular nonperfusions and peripheral retinal neovascularizations also were found in 4(50%)of 8 eyes, which treated by PRP.

CONCLUSION: UWFA demonstrates peripheral lesions beyond standard fields, which can allow early detection of DR, and a close evaluation of eyes with retinal photocoagulation.