Ganglion Cell – Inner Plexiform Layer Damage in Diabetic Patients: 3-Year Prospective, Longitudinal, Observational Study

Diabetes is expected to accelerate age-related ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) loss, but there is limited information on the rate of reduction in GC-IPL thicknesses. We aimed to evaluate the reduction rate of GC-IPL thickness in diabetic patients, and to compare the rates between patients without and with diabetic retinopathy (DR). We included 112 eyes of 112 patients with diabetes [49 eyes without DR (no-DR group) and 63 eyes with mild to moderate non-proliferative DR (NPDR group)] and 63 eyes of 63 normal controls (control group) in this study. Macular GC-IPL thickness in all participants was measured for 3 years at 1-year intervals. The reduction rates of GC-IPL thickness were determined by linear mixed models and compared among the three groups. The estimated reduction rates of the average GC-IPL thickness in the no-DR (−0.627 μm/year) and NPDR (−0.987 μm/year) groups were 2.26-fold (p = 0.010) and 3.56-fold (p = 0.001) faster, respectively, than the control group (−0.277 μm/year). Age, duration of diabetes, and baseline average GC-IPL thickness were associated with longitudinal changes in average GC-IPL thickness. The GC-IPL reduction rate was significantly faster in diabetic patients, with and without DR. Physicians should therefore be aware that GC-IPL damage continues even if there is no DR.