Excessive permeability in diabetic maculopathy.

Four cases of diabetic maculopathy with excessive permeability are described. Fluorescence angiography is distinctive, showing profuse early leakage from the entire capillary bed of the posterior pole. Careful studies have failed to reveal any cause for this excessive permeability response at the macula or any constantly associated medical abnormality. The prognosis for visual acuity is poor, and photocoagulation has only rarely been successful in maintaining or improving vision in these patients.