[HbA1 and HbA1c determination in ophthalmology. New parameters for monitoring metabolism in diabetics].

Determination of glycosylated hemoglobins HbA1 or HbA1c by column chromatography is used for long-term glucose control. In the study reported here the authors compared the advantages and disadvantages of this new method and tried to show the importance of these determinations for patients with eye diseases. In a control group (blood glucose less than 120 mg/dl) HbA1-values of 6.5 +/- 1.2% and HbA1c-values of 4.4 +/- 0.5% were found. Well-controlled diabetics (blood glucose 80-180 mg/dl) had an HbA1 of 8.1 +/- 1.6% and an HbA1c of 5.8 +/- 1.1%, while diabetics with poor control (blood glucose 160-420 mg/dl) had an HbA1 of 10.6 +/- 2.1% and an HbA1c of 7.7 +/- 1.7%. HbA1 and HbA1c, respectively, should be measured in addition to blood glucose determination and oral glucose tolerance test.