Table 3

Comparison between ETDRS groups assembled by severity level

MetricAcq. protocolAreaHealthyHealthy vs
ETDRS10-35
ETDRS10-35ETDRS10-35 vs
ETDRS43-53
ETDRS43-53
Vessel density
SCP, mm-1
PlexElite 3 mm × 3 mmInner ring (5, 10)°14.7±1.30.00012.6±1.90.01711.9±1.5
PlexElite 15 mm × 9 mmExtended 1 (21, 31)°28.2±3.10.01826.4±4.30.30424.9±5.5
Extended 2 (31, 42)°23.2±2.40.04721.5±4.20.13720.2±4.3
Extended 3 (42, 52)°16.7±3.70.97616.5±5.20.05914.3±5.1
Vessel density
DCP, mm-1
PlexElite 3 mm × 3 mmInner ring (5, 10)°14.5±1.50.00012.7±2.20.00311.6±1.6
PlexElite 15 mm × 9 mmExtended 1 (21, 31)°22.4±6.70.02318.4±7.90.04615.1±7.4
Extended 2 (31, 42)°20.6±6.00.07117.2±7.60.03213.6±6.8
Extended 3 (42, 52)°17.3±7.00.28815.1±7.90.01510.9±6.2
Vessel density
FR, mm-1
PlexElite 3 mm × 3 mmInner ring(5, 10)°17.9±1.10.00016.1±2.00.00215.2±1.4
PlexElite 15 mm × 9 mmExtended 1 (21, 31)°31.0±3.50.00928.8±5.00.06226.5±6.6
Extended 2 (31, 42)°27.2±3.30.04224.8±5.30.03022.7±5.4
Extended 3 (42, 52)°20.9±4.80.86120.1±6.60.01617.0±6.1
Thickness
GCL+IPL, µm
PlexElite 3 mm × 3 mmInner ring (5, 10)°93.7±8.20.32488.2±11.60.74784.0±21.4
PlexElite 15 mm × 9 mmExtended 1 (21, 31)°43.7±3.80.18444.8±3.60.89745.3±5.9
Extended 2 (31, 42)°41.0±4.10.00743.7±4.60.18843.1±7.1
Extended 3 (42, 52)°35.3±3.10.16736.8±4.50.78737.0±5.9
  • Data are presented as mean±SD.

  • Vessel density and GCL+IPL thickness values were calculated using Zeiss PlexElite MultiLayer segmentation algorithm. Comparisons between individuals with diabetes and healthy controls were performed using Mann-Whitney U-test. Bonferroni correction was applied to vessel density comparisons setting the statistical significance to p<0.0167, otherwise p<0.05. Statistical significance highlighted in bold and in grey cells.

  • DCP, deep capillary plexus; FR, full retina; GCL+IPL, ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer; SCP, superficial capillary plexus.