Investigation of conjunctival vessels in diabetics with and without retinopathy by means of a microcirculation-index.

We were unable to trace an unmistakable correlation between changes on the fundus of the eye and changes on the conjunctiva neither by taking the sum of single findings at the bulbar conjunctiva nor by using a respective index. I.e. the findings of the bulbar conjunctiva are not correlative neither to the stages of diabetic retinopathy nor the duration of diabetes. Clinical experiences make us suppose that the vessels of the fundus of the eye are closely connected to the circulation of the cerebral flow whereas the changes of the conjunctival vascular bed may possibly correlate in a better way with the peripheral vessels. The present results show that the majority of the patients with a high index at the bulbar conjunctiva suffer from peripheral occlusive disease.