Saurav Chandra1, Angelos Barmpoutis2,
Nicholas Simpson3, John R. Forder1,4
1Biomedical Engineering,
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; 2Computer
& Information Sciences Engineering, University of Florida; 3College
of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; 4Radiology,
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease affecting diabetics and a leading cause of blindness. However, it cannot be diagnosed in its early stages. We used High Angular Resolution Diffusion Microscopy (HARDM) as a non-invasive tool to detect this disease at an early stage in mice. HARDM of control eyes showed water diffusion in the retina was restricted, reflecting an organized structure within the retinal layers. Comparison with control eyes showed the integrity of these layers is compromised in eyes from diabetic animals with elevated glucose levels. FA is also significantly decreased in the diabetic retinas compared to controls.