Optical coherence tomographic biomarkers in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular Edema and co-relation with disease severity

Purpose: To evaluate Optical coherence tomographic (OCT) biomarkers in participants diagnosed with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular edema (DME) co relation disease severity.Methods: Demographics, visual acuity, SD-OCT, colour fundus photographs of 110 individuals DR DME (200 eyes) evaluated between December 2020 October 2022 were analysed to severity corelation. Features captured on SD-OCT thickness metrics. On we the OCT scans (Macular cube 6 mm x mm) for central subfield biomarkers: disorganization inner retinal layers (DRIL), presence hyperreflective dots foci their location, intraretinal cystoid abnormalities shape septae within the, integrity external limiting membrane ellipsoid zone. Results: 101 patients evaluated; 66 eyes had (33%) moderate NPDR, followed by 38 (19%) mild 29 (15%) severe 14 (7%) very NPDR. Biomarkers like DRIL, Hyperreflective foci, ELM EZ disruption (p = 0.001) spaces 0.003) correlated positively negatively VA. Conclusion: imaging can be utilised as an efficient tool understanding inter individual differences acuity when there is no difference ETDRS-based grading that evident clinically.