Posterior vitreous fluorophotometry. II. Comparison of diabetic patients and controls with the use of a new analysis procedure.

We used a new computerized procedure to analyze posterior vitreous fluorophotometry scans, obtained with a commercial fluorophotometer (Fluorotron Master Coherent, Palo Alto, Calif), in insulin-dependent diabetic patients and controls. Diabetic patients with minimal retinopathy had significantly higher effective fluorescein vitreous diffusivity and 30-minute 3-mm vitreous fluorescence values than either controls or diabetic patients with no retinopathy. However, there was no significant difference between the groups for the apparent permeability of the blood-retinal barrier to fluorescein. These results suggest the possibility that the higher 3-mm fluorescence levels found in the diabetic patients with minimal retinopathy may result in part from enhanced movement of fluorescein through the vitreous.