DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY IN PEOPLE AGED 70 YEARS OR OLDER - THE OULU EYE STUDY

Aims-To evaluate the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy and the value of retinopathy screening in people aged 70 Sears or older. Methods-In a population based study on 500 of 560 eligible (89%) peopl e aged 70 years or older, signs of diabetic retinopathy were evaluated through dilated pupils by an ophthalmologist using photographic and/o r ophthalmoscopic methods. Results-23% of the study population (113/50 0) had diabetes mellitus. Signs of diabetic retinopathy were found in 24 people (21% of the diabetic population). Retinopathy changes were g raded as mild to moderate non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR) in 40 e yes (18 people), severe NPDR (preproliferative) in five eyes (four peo ple), and proliferative in three eyes (two people). Preproliferative o r proliferative changes were present in four people (3.5% of the diabe tic population) and diabetic maculopathy was diagnosed in nine (8% of the diabetic population). Laser treatment was considered to be indicat ed in seven people for maculopathy and in two for proliferative change s. In four people the visual acuity was reduced to a low vision level as a result of diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion-In spite of the high p revalence of diabetes mellitus in the elderly population, the prevalen ce of vision threatening diabetic retinopathy, particularly proliferat ive retinopathy, is low. Ophthalmoscopically, reliable information on fundus changes could be obtained in 94%, but photographs were gradable in only 76% of the diabetic population. Therefore, the value of photo graphic screening for diabetic retinopathy in this age group is poor i n comparison with younger age groups.