The effect of insulin pump therapy in retinal vasculature in type 1 diabetic patients

Background/objectives: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is a treatment for type 1 diabetes that improves metabolic control and reduces micro and macrovascular complications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of CSII versus traditional multiple daily injections (MDI) therapy on retinal vasculature. Methods: We performed a prospective study with type 1 diabetic patients with no prior history of ocular pathology other than mild diabetic retinopathy. The patients were divided into two groups according to their therapeutic modality (CSII vs MDI). The retinal nerve fiber layers thickness and vascular densities were compared between groups in both macula and optic disc. The correlations between vascular density and clinical features were also determined. Statistical significance was defined as p