Changes in the diabetic choroidal vasculature: scanning electron microscopy findings

Ann Ophthalmol. 1988 Aug;20(8):299-305.

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study vascular casts of 20 cadaver eyes according to our previously described technique. All eyes were taken from patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus type I. The SEM findings in the choroidal vessels included: increased tortuosity, dilation and narrowing, hypercellularity, vascular loop and microaneurysm formation, "drop-out" of choriocapillaries, and sinus-like structure formation between choroidal lobules. To our knowledge, these are the first SEM studies of the vascular casts performed on human cadaver eyes from diabetics.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Vessels / ultrastructure
  • Choroid / blood supply*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Middle Aged
  • Photography