This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by HICKAM, J. B. Articles by SIEKER, H. O. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by HICKAM, J. B. Articles by SIEKER, H. O.

(Circulation. 1960;22:243.)
© 1960 American Heart Association, Inc.

---

Retinal Vascular Reactivity in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and with Atherosclerosis

J. B. HICKAM M.D.¹ H. O. SIEKER M.D.¹

¹ From the Departments of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind., and Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C.

By means of fundus photography, a comparative study has been made of the constrictor response of retinal vessels to the inhalation of oxygen in 47 control subjects, 50 diabetic patients, and 15 persons with atherosclerosis unassociated with hypertension or diabetes.

The diabetic group showed decreased reactivity of both arteries and veins, as indicated by a decreased constrictor response to oxygen. Retinal arterial reactivity was significantly reduced in diabetic subjects, even in the absence of retinopathy or hypertension. With the appearance of retinopathy, arterial reactivity was still further reduced.

The patients with uncomplicated atherosclerosis did not show significant changes in retinal vascular reactivity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Harris, T. A. Ciulla, H. S. Chung, and B. Martin Regulation of Retinal and Optic Nerve Blood Flow Arch Ophthalmol, November 1, 1998; 116(11): 1491 - 1495. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]