3 research outputs found
Analysis of variation in retinal vascular assessment
Changes in retinal vascular parameters have been shown to be associated with systemic vascular diseases. The current assessment of retinal vascular parameters is based on a solo captured image and computer assisted measurement. The solo image assessment ignores the short term, dynamic change of the retinal vessel and its impact on the measurement. Variation in retinal vessel diameter during the cardiac cycle has been debated in the past, while other retinal vascular parameters have never been verified if affected by the cardiac cycle. There is a lack of comprehensive study on the various sources of variation. This thesis has comprehensively studied the variations from the various sources: (i) human cardiac cycle; (ii) multiple graders; (iii) different software; (iv) repeated photographs; (v) region of interest; (vi) the summary method and (vii) measurement protocol. The results showed there was significant change of retinal individual vessel diameters during the cardiac cycle while this change became non-significant after the individual vessel diameters were summarised using a summary method. Other retinal vascular parameters, such as tortuosity, branching angle, LDR and fractal dimension, had little to no variation over the cardiac cycle. Significant variations were found between graders and different measurement software. This thesis has shown that variation due to the cardiac cycle can be minimised using the ECG synchronised retinal photographs. The work has also suggested that the significant variations between different graders and the measurement software should be considered in all future studies when comparing their results. Number of strategies such as minimum length of measured vessel that reduce the variability in the measurement have also been identified, and these should be considered when developing new methodologies. To summarise, this thesis has identified variations and their sources in retinal vascular assessment that will contribute to reduce the variability of vessel measurements leading to improved clinical assessment and identified techniques to mitigate some of these
Retinal microvascular abnormalities and cognitive function in older people with type 2 diabetes
The deleterious effects of Type 2 diabetes on the brain have been shown to
result in a greater prevalence of age-associated cognitive impairment and an
enhanced risk of age-related cognitive decline in older diabetic populations. Type 2
diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder. Apart from the negative impact of
abnormalities intrinsic to diabetes, diabetes-associated cerebral microvascular
disease may contribute to this accelerated cognitive ageing.
Direct in vivo evaluation of the cerebral microcirculation is difficult in
humans and the vessels themselves are too small to permit detailed visualisation with
current neuroimaging methods. The microvasculature of the retina may offer a
window into such vascular status of the brain as there is considerable homology
between the retina and cerebral microcirculations. Moreover, the retinal vasculature
is known to be affected by a wide range of systemic pathologies and is unique in that
it is the only vasculature that can be directly visualised and photographed.
Retinal microvascular abnormalities (RMAs) have been understudied risk
factors in cognitive ageing epidemiological research. Few reports have
comprehensively examined cognitive function in relation to diabetic retinopathy.
Also the relationship between cognitive function and quantitative aspects of retinal
vascular network geometry has not been investigated in people with Type 2 diabetes.
The results of a systematic review reported in this thesis showed inconsistent
findings on the importance of the association between retinal microvascular
abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction in predominantly non-diabetic populations.
This may have reflected substantial differences between studies regarding the choice
of population under study, the methods applied for measuring and defining RMAs,
the types of neuropsychological tests administered for assessing cognitive function,
and the approach taken in data analysis. The principal aim of the original research described in this thesis was to examine the associations of cognitive test performance with severity of diabetic
retinopathy and quantitative parameters of retinal vascular network in a
population-based sample of older people with Type 2 diabetes. Objective,
reproducible and computerized retinal image analysis was used to quantify retinal
vessel calibres and arteriolar bifurcation geometry in order to detect subtle changes
in retinal vascular network. A valid estimation of peak prior cognitive ability allowed
the further exploration of the impact of retinal microvascular abnormalities on
imputed cognitive decline from best-ever levels of cognitive function to that
measured in old age. The analysis was based on a cohort of 547 men and 519 women aged 60-75 years with Type 2 diabetes, randomly sampled from the Lothian Diabetes Register,
Scotland, in 2006/2007 (the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study). A battery of seven
cognitive tests was administered and standard 7-field binocular digital retinal
photography undertaken. The Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale was used to estimate
pre-morbid cognitive ability. Diabetic retinopathy was evaluated independently by
two optometrists using a standardised grading protocol (a modification of the Early
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Scale). Quantitative retinal vascular parameters
were measured by myself from a digital image of field 1 using semi-automated,
computer-based methods. Retinal vessel calibres were summarised as the central
retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents (CRAE and CRVE, respectively) and
arterio-venous ratio (AVR). Retinal arteriolar bifurcation geometry was expressed as
arteriolar bifurcation angles (BA), arterial branching coefficient (BC), and
sub-optimality (degree of deviation from optimality) of the retinal arteriolar angles.
The statistical analyses were based on the 1,044 study participants who had both
gradable retinal images and cognitive testing.
Both general cognition, as indexed by a general cognitive factor reflecting
the variance common to all the cognitive tests used, and most of the individual
cognitive tests were negatively affected in participants with diabetic retinopathy
relative to those without. These cognitive measures also showed a significant
relationship with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy (none, mild, and
moderate-severe). Those with moderate-severe diabetic retinopathy had worst
performances on general cognitive function, executive function, information
processing speed, non-verbal memory and mental flexibility. When lifetime decline
was estimated from peak, prior cognitive level, severity of diabetic retinopathy was
significantly associated with a greater decline in information processing speed,
non-verbal memory and mental flexibility and, in men for general cognition and
executive function. The associations of severity of diabetic retinopathy with general
cognition, executive function and information processing speed were independent of
socio-demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, macrovascular disease,
mood and hyperglycaemia. The associations with estimated decline in specific
cognitive measures resulted principally from the impact of diabetic retinopathy on
general cognitive ability.
The study also showed that larger retinal arteriolar and venular calibres were
both significantly associated with lower test scores on verbal memory in men.
Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated larger retinal arteriolar calibre was
associated with a significantly greater decline in verbal memory after possible
confounding by retinal venular calibre and vascular risk factors and disease was
taken into account. In contrast, the study did not support an independent association
between retinal venular calibre and cognitive decline in men or in women with Type
2 diabetes. Parameters of retinal arteriolar bifurcation geometry were not associated
with cognitive outcome. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that cerebral microvascular
disease associated with Type 2 diabetes, reflected by the presence and severity of
diabetic retinopathy, may exacerbate the effects of ageing on cognitive function. In
particular, alterations in the blood-brain barrier may be an important
pathophysiological mechanism in the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction in diabetic
patients. They further may be added to the knowledge that gained from previous
pathologic and brain imaging investigations demonstrating a relationship between
markers of cerebral microvascular disease and cognitive dysfunction in diabetes. The
role of quantitative parameters of retinal vascular network geometry in
diabetes-related cognitive impairment is less clear. Prospective studies are required to
clarify the temporal sequence of these associations and the eventual clinical
significance of these small, early cognitive function changes. Such a follow-up
project involving the present study population is underway. From a clinical
perspective, if the above findings are substantiated, diabetes-associated cognitive
dysfunction may be amenable to treatment and preventive strategies specifically
targeted at protecting the cerebral microvasculature and reducing the risk of
developing even mild microvascular disease in an ageing diabetic population
Glaucoma
This book addresses the basic and clinical science of glaucomas, a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve and visual fields and is usually accompanied by increased intraocular pressure. The book incorporates the latest development as well as future perspectives in glaucoma, since it has expedited publication. It is aimed for specialists in glaucoma, researchers, general ophthalmologists and trainees to increase knowledge and encourage further progress in understanding and managing these complicated diseases