[Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes type I, using vitreous fluorophotometry].

We have conducted vitreous fluorophotometry in 32 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients, who did not reveal any pathological changes in ophthalmoscopic examination. Fluorescein disodium salt was administered orally. Permeability index (PI) values were increased in 42% of patients, unilaterally in 80% of them. The results obtained indicate that increased PI values in IDDM patients are an initial symptom of diabetic retinopathy, and may be used as a criterion for IDDM patients qualification into higher risk of diabetic retinopathy groups.