Ultrasound indicators of blood flow in the eyes and orbits at different durations of type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood and adolescence

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus with high social significance, especially in childhood and adolescence.

Aim: To evaluate ultrasound indicators of retrobulbar blood flow at different durations of type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood and adolescence.

Material and Methods. Ultrasound examinations were performed in 70 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus aged from 5 to 18 years, with disease duration of up to 5 years, from 5 to 10 years, and more than 10 years. The analysis included an assessment of the linear velocity of blood flow and the index of peripheral resistance in the ophthalmic arteries, central arteries and retinal veins, posterior short ciliary arteries, and ophthalmic veins at different times of the duration of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Results. The study revealed a decrease in blood flow velocity in the central retinal arteries, in the posterior short ciliary arteries with an increase in the duration of type1 diabetes mellitus. The greatest decrease in blood flow velocity was recorded in the group with duration of diabetes mellitus of more than 10 years.

Conclusion. The obtained data on a decrease in blood flow velocity in the retrobulbar arteries can be used for the assessment and dynamic monitoring of early disorders of the blood supply to the eye and orbit in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood and adolescence.

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