Abstract
Ninety-one childhood diabetics were studied using ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography. Their ages at onset were confirmed to be less than 15° Based on the results of detailed examinations at our pediatric department, the 91 cases were classified into 33 of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), 37 of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM), and 21 of chemical diabetes. The cases ranged in age at their initial ophthalmoscopic examination from 2 to 16 years.
Ophthatinoscopic abnormalities, small retinal hemorrhage of short duration and microaneurysm were observed only in the IDDM cases. The incidence of fluorescein angiographic abnormalities showed no difference between the two groups. The incidence of the angiogaphic abnormalities in NIDDM cases over 16 ye ars old was significantly higher than in those under 15 years old. The incidence of abnormal ophthalmoscopic findings was significantly higher in IDDM cases and abnormal angiographic findings were significantly higher in NIDDM cases having a longer duraton.
The multiplied effect of the patient's age and the duration of disease on the incidence of the abnormal findings was analyzed. With regard to the ophthalmoscopic findings of IDDM cases and angiographic findings of NIDDM cases, significantly higher incidences were recognized in the cases over 16 years old and those with more than 5 years, duration of the disease.
This was compared with the cases under 15 years old and with those having less than 5 years, duration of the disease.
