Correlation between Imaging Morphological Findings and Laboratory Biomarkers in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose. To investigate the potential association between peripheral blood biomarkers and morphological characteristics of retinal imaging in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 36 consecutive patients (36 eyes) with treatment-naïve DME, who underwent spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus photography, and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). In addition, peripheral blood samples were taken to evaluate full blood count and biochemical parameters. Correlation between imaging characteristics and laboratory parameters was examined. Results. Eyes with central subfield thickness greater than 405 μm presented significantly higher neutrophils/lymphocytes (p=0.043) and higher lipoprotein (a) compared to eyes with CST