Investigating the Ability of Visual Evoked Potential in Detecting Preclinical Retinopathy Changes in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem. As of 2016, 422 million people have diabetes worldwide, with 90% of type II DM. Among the microvascular complications, Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading preventable cause of blindness. In 2010 worldwide, approximately 32.4 million people were blind and 191 million people were visually impaired. Of those, diabetic retinopathy was responsible for 833,690 (2.6%) cases of blindness and 3.7 million (1.9%) of visual impairment. Screening for diabetic retinopathy was done through fundus examination but recent studies reported that Visual Evoked Potential can detect preclinical retinopathic changes that are not detected using fundus examination. AIM OF THE STUDY: To detect preclinical retinopathy changes in patients with type II diabetes mellitus using pattern visual evoked potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study done for a period of one year.50 Type II diabetic patients and 50 subjects of age 35-60 years of both gender selected through project questionnaire from diabetic OPD. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Type II diabetic patients of age 35-60 years of both gender. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Type I diabetes mellitus, Gestational diabetes, Diabetes with Hypertension and Ischemic heart disease and Diabetic retinopathy. METHODOLOGY: After obtaining Institutional Ethical committee clearance in Tirunelveli Medical College and informed written consent from participants, blood investigations like FBS, PPBS, HbA1C and serum lipid profile were taken and results were assessed in Biochemistry laboratory using Automated biochemical analyser. After complete ophthalmological examination, patients were subjected to Visual Evoked Potential in Neurology OPD. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 23 version. Among the diabetics, there was statistically significant correlation observed between P100 latency prolongation and reduced P100 amplitude with fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic cases compared with controls. Also there was a statistically significant correlation between P100 latency prolongation and P100 amplitude reduction with elevated HbA1C levels more than > 6.5%. Therefore proper glycemic control in type 2 diabetics reduces the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: Thus VEP acts as an screening test to identify preclinical retinopathic changes in type II diabetic patients