Metastatic Death Based on Presenting Features and Treatment for Advanced Intraocular Retinoblastoma: A Multicenter Registry-Based Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate presenting features, tumor size, and treatment methods for risk of metastatic death due to advanced intraocular retinoblastoma (RB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1841 patients with advanced RB. METHODS: Advanced RB was defined by 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) categories cT2 and cT3 and new AJCC-Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force (OOTF) Size Groups (1: < 50% of globe volume, 2: > 50% but < 2/3, 3: > 2/3, and 4: diffuse infiltrating RB). Treatments were primary enucleation, systemic chemotherapy with secondary enucleation, and systemic chemotherapy with eye salvage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metastatic death. RESULTS: The 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival estimates by patient-level AJCC clinical subcategories were 98% for cT2a, 96% for cT2b, 88% for cT3a, 95% for cT3b, 92% for cT3c, 84% for cT3d, and 75% for cT3e RB. Survival estimates by treatment modality were 96% for primary enucleation, 89% for systemic chemotherapy and secondary enucleation, and 90% for systemic chemotherapy with eye salvage. Risk of metastatic mortality increased with increasing cT subcategory (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis confirmed a higher risk of metastatic mortality in categories cT3c (glaucoma, hazard ratio [HR], 4.9; P = 0.011), cT3d (intraocular hemorrhage, HR, 14.0; P < 0.001), and cT3e (orbital cellulitis, HR, 19.6; P < 0.001) than in category cT2a and with systemic chemotherapy with secondary enucleation (HR, 3.3; P < 0.001) and eye salvage (HR, 4.9; P < 0.001) than with primary enucleation. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival estimates by AJCC-OOTF Size Groups 1 to 4 were 99%, 96%, 94%, and 83%, respectively. Mortality from metastatic RB increased with increasing Size Group (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that patients with Size Group 3 (HR, 10.0; P = 0.002) and 4 (HR, 41.1; P < 0.001) had a greater risk of metastatic mortality than Size Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: The AJCC-RB cT2 and cT3 subcategories and size-based AJCC-OOTF Groups 3 (> 2/3 globe volume) and 4 (diffuse infiltrating RB) provided a robust stratification of clinical risk for metastatic death in advanced intraocular RB. Primary enucleation offered the highest survival rates for patients with advanced intraocular RB.

High-risk Pathologic Features Based on Presenting Findings in Advanced Intraocular Retinoblastoma: A Multicenter, International Data-Sharing American Joint Committee on Cancer Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the value of clinical features for advanced intraocular retinoblastoma as defined by the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) cT3 category and AJCC Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force (OOTF) Size Groups to predict the high-risk pathologic features. DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen ophthalmic oncology centers from 13 countries over 6 continents shared evaluations of 942 eyes enucleated as primary treatment for AJCC cT3 and, for comparison, cT2 retinoblastoma. METHODS: International, multicenter, registry-based data were pooled from patients enrolled between 2001 and 2013. High-risk pathologic features were defined as AJCC categories pT3 and pT4. In addition, AJCC OOTF Size Groups were defined as follows: (1) less than half, (2) more than half but less than two thirds, (3) more than two thirds of globe volume involved, and (4) diffuse infiltrating retinoblastoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statistical risk of high-risk pathologic features corresponding to AJCC cT3 subcategories and AJCC OOTF Size Groups. RESULTS: Of 942 retinoblastoma eyes treated by primary enucleation, 282 (30%) showed high-risk pathologic features. Both cT subcategories and AJCC OOTF Size Groups (P < 0.001 for both) were associated with high-risk pathologic features. On logistic regression analysis, cT3c (iris neovascularization with glaucoma), cT3d (intraocular hemorrhage), and cT3e (aseptic orbital cellulitis) were predictive factors for high-risk pathologic features when compared with cT2a with an odds ratio of 2.3 (P = 0.002), 2.5 (P = 0.002), and 3.3 (P = 0.019), respectively. Size Group 3 (more than two-thirds globe volume) and 4 (diffuse infiltrative retinoblastoma) were the best predictive factors with an odds ratio of 3.3 and 4.1 (P < 0.001 for both), respectively, for high-risk pathologic features when compared with Size Groups 1 (i.e., < 50% of globe volume). CONCLUSIONS: The AJCC retinoblastoma staging clinical cT3c-e subcategories (glaucoma, intraocular hemorrhage, and aseptic orbital cellulitis, respectively) as well as the AJCC OOTF Size Groups 3 (tumor more than two thirds of globe volume) and 4 (diffuse infiltrative retinoblastoma) both allowed stratification of clinical risk factors that can be used to predict the presence of high-risk pathologic features and thus facilitate treatment decisions.

Treatment outcomes of combination of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection and laser photocoagulation in Type 1 ROP and APROP.

PURPOSE: To study treatment outcomes of combination treatment of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection and laser photocoagulation in Type 1 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Aggressive Posterior ROP (APROP). METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of 87 eyes of 48 premature babies who presented with Type I ROP or APROP and were treated with combination of laser and anti-VEGF therapy. Retrospective evaluation of case records was done to collect data on gestational age, birth weight, age at intervention, anterior segment and fundus findings, intervention with laser and anti-VEGF and response to treatment. Outcome measure was defined as attached retina at posterior pole at last follow-up. RESULTS: Mean gestational age was 29.1 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1226.9 gms. Sixty-six (75.8%) eyes had Type I ROP and 21 (24.1%) eyes had APROP at presentation. Five eyes (3 patients) were lost to follow-up after treatment. Of 82 eyes, 80.5% (66 eyes) showed regression of ROP following combination treatment and 19.5% (16 eyes) needed surgery. Of these, 15 underwent surgery and 12 had successful outcome. Mean follow-up duration of patients was 52 weeks. Finally, 95.1% (78 eyes) had attached retina at posterior pole and 4.9% (4 eyes) had detached retina. CONCLUSION: We conclude that combination therapy is an effective and safe treatment strategy for Type I ROP and APROP.

Global Retinoblastoma Treatment Outcomes: Association with National Income Level.

PURPOSE: To compare metastasis-related mortality, local treatment failure, and globe salvage after retinoblastoma in countries with different national income levels. DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand one hundred ninety patients, 18 ophthalmic oncology centers, and 13 countries on 6 continents. METHODS: Multicenter registry-based data were pooled from retinoblastoma patients enrolled between January 2001 and December 2013. Adequate data to allow American Joint Committee on Cancer staging, eighth edition, and analysis for the main outcome measures were available for 2085 patients. Each country was classified by national income level, as defined by the 2017 United Nations World Population Prospects, and included high-income countries (HICs), upper middle-income countries (UMICs), and lower middle-income countries (LMICs). Patient survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine associations between national income and treatment outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metastasis-related mortality and local treatment failure (defined as use of secondary enucleation or external beam radiation therapy). RESULTS: Most (60%) study patients resided in UMICs and LMICs. The global median age at diagnosis was 17.0 months and higher in UMICs (20.0 months) and LMICs (20.0 months) than HICs (14.0 months; P < 0.001). Patients in UMICs and LMICs reported higher rates of disease-specific metastasis-related mortality and local treatment failure. As compared with HICs, metastasis-related mortality was 10.3-fold higher for UMICs and 9.3-fold higher for LMICs, and the risk for local treatment failure was 2.2-fold and 1.6-fold higher, respectively (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This international, multicenter, registry-based analysis of retinoblastoma management revealed that lower national income levels were associated with significantly higher rates of metastasis-related mortality, local treatment failure, and lower globe salvage.

MYD88 L265P mutation in intraocular lymphoma: A potential diagnostic marker.

PURPOSE: Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) is the most common intraocular lymphoma (IOL). This can be either primary or secondary to the central nervous system lymphoma. The diagnosis of primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL) currently relies on clinical diagnosis and cytological analysis of the vitreous or subretinal biopsy. Although most cases are diagnosed without much issue, the limited amount of vitreous fluid, subjectivity in cytological reporting, and special expertise in ocular pathology make the diagnosis challenging. MYD88 L265P mutation has been implicated to have diagnostic utility in PIOL. In this study, we screened consecutive vitreous biopsies for the presence of MYD88 L265P mutation to understand its diagnostic utility compared to conventional cytological analysis. METHODS: Cytological analysis and MYD88 L265P mutation by PCR-based sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were carried out on consecutive vitreous and subretinal biopsies collected from 21 patients. The diagnostic utility of the cytology and MYD88 L265P mutation analysis were compared. RESULTS: Out of the 21 patients, 15 had clinical suspicion of having PIOL. Out of these suspected cases of PIOL, nine were confirmed on follow-up, while six were diagnosed as other intraocular pathologies. Diagnostic utility of MYD88 L265P mutation analysis revealed a sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 91.6%, positive and negative predictive value of 88.9% and 91.7%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of 90.5% was achieved with the mutation analysis that shows the superiority of MYD88 in both ruling in and ruling out PIOL. The diagnostic utility of MYD88 L265P mutation was superior to conventional cytological analysis. CONCLUSION: The analysis of MYD88 L265P mutation is reliable and efficient in the diagnosis of PIOL.

Serum exosomal miRNA as biomarkers for Retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a childhood eye tumor, caused by RB1 mutation. Though diagnosing RB is easier, prognosticating RB is limited to examining the patient under anesthesia and imaging technique. The aim of the study is to find exosomal miRNA biomarkers to prognosticate RB. Exosomes were isolated from one control - MIO-M1 and two RB cell lines - WERI-Rb-1 and NCC-RbC-51. Small RNA sequencing was performed on exosomal miRNA isolated from the three cell lines. miRNAs specific to each cell line were shortlisted. A total of 243, 606 and 400 miRNAs were identified in MIO-M1, WERI-Rb-1 and NCC-RbC-51 cell lines respectively. Nine miRNAs were shortlisted based on adjusted p value and literature, MIO-M1 specific (n = 1), WERI-RB-1 specific (n = 2), NCC-RbC-51 specific (n = 2) and miRNAs common to both RB cell lines (n = 4) were chosen. Validation was done using specific Taqman miRNA assays.miRNA validation was carried out on cell lines, cell line derived exosomes, primary RB tissues and exosomes isolated from serum of the RB patients. Validation of the miRNAs in cell lines and exosomes derived from the cell lines, confirmed the sequencing data. However, only 2 miRNAs - hsa-miR-301b-3p and hsa-miR-216b-5p were upregulated in the primary RB tissues. None of the miRNAs had significant expression in the serum exosomes of RB patients. Therefore, serum exosomal miRNA may not be ideal for prognosticating RB.Further research on other body fluids like CSF and vitreous could serve as potential source for biomarkers for prognosticating RB.

A Multicenter, International Collaborative Study for American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging of Retinoblastoma: Part I: Metastasis-Associated Mortality.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual to estimate metastatic and mortality rates for children with retinoblastoma (RB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2190 patients from 18 ophthalmic oncology centers from 13 countries over 6 continents. METHODS: Patient-specific data fields for RB were designed and selected by subcommittee. All patients with RB with adequate records to allow tumor staging by the AJCC criteria and follow-up for metastatic disease were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metastasis-related 5- and 10-year survival data after initial tumor staging were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method depending on AJCC clinical (cTNM) and pathological (pTNM) tumor, node, metastasis category and age, tumor laterality, and presence of heritable trait. RESULTS: Of 2190 patients, the records of 2085 patients (95.2%) with 2905 eyes were complete. The median age at diagnosis was 17.0 months. A total of 1260 patients (65.4%) had unilateral RB. Among the 2085 patients, tumor categories were cT1a in 55 (2.6%), cT1b in 168 (8.1%), cT2a in 197 (9.4%), cT2b in 812 (38.9%), cT3 in 835 (40.0%), and cT4 in 18 (0.9%). Of these, 1397 eyes in 1353 patients (48.1%) were treated with enucleation. A total of 109 patients (5.2%) developed metastases and died. The median time (n = 92) from diagnosis to metastasis was 9.50 months. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival estimates by clinical tumor categories were 100% for category cT1a, 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97-99) for cT1b and cT2a, 96% (95% CI, 95-97) for cT2b, 89% (95% CI, 88-90) for cT3 tumors, and 45% (95% CI, 31-59) for cT4 tumors. Risk of metastasis increased with increasing cT (and pT) category (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis confirmed a higher risk of metastasis in category cT3 (hazard rate [HR], 8.09; 95% CI, 2.55-25.70; P < 0.001) and cT4 (HR, 48.55; 95% CI, 12.86-183.27; P < 0.001) compared with category cT1. Age, tumor laterality, and presence of heritable traits did not influence the incidence of metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Multicenter, international, internet-based data sharing facilitated analysis of the 8th edition AJCC RB Staging System for metastasis-related mortality and offered a proof of concept yielding quantitative, predictive estimates per category in a large, real-life, heterogeneous patient population with RB.

A Multicenter, International Collaborative Study for American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging of Retinoblastoma: Part II: Treatment Success and Globe Salvage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition to predict local tumor control and globe salvage for children with retinoblastoma (RB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2854 eyes of 2097 patients from 18 ophthalmic oncology centers from 13 countries over 6 continents. METHODS: International, multicenter, registry-based data were pooled from patients enrolled between January 2001 and December 2013. All RB eyes with adequate records to allow tumor staging by the AJCC 8th edition criteria and follow-up to ascertain treatment outcomes were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Globe-salvage rates were estimated by AJCC clinical (cTNMH) categories and tumor laterality. Local treatment failure was defined as use of enucleation or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), with or without plaque brachytherapy or intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC). RESULTS: Unilateral RB occurred in 1340 eyes (47%). Among the 2854 eyes, tumor categories were cT1 to cT4 in 696 eyes (24%), 1334 eyes (47%), 802 eyes (28%), and 22 eyes (1%), respectively. Of these, 1275 eyes (45%) were salvaged, and 1179 eyes (41%) and 400 eyes (14%) underwent primary and secondary enucleation, respectively. The 2- and 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative globe-salvage rates without the use of EBRT by cTNMH categories were 97% and 96% for category cT1a tumors, 94% and 88% for cT1b tumors, 68% and 60% for cT2a tumors, 66% and 57% for cT2b tumors, and 32% and 25% for cT3 tumors, respectively. Risk of local treatment failure increased with increasing cT category (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis confirmed a higher risk of local treatment failure in categories cT1b (hazard ratio [HR], 3.5; P = 0.004), cT2a (HR, 15.1; P < 0.001), cT2b (HR, 16.4; P < 0.001), and cT3 (HR, 45.0; P < 0.001) compared with category cT1a. Use of plaque brachytherapy and IAC improved local tumor control in categories cT1a (P = 0.031) and cT1b (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Multicenter, international, internet-based data sharing validated the 8th edition AJCC RB staging to predict globe-salvage in a large, heterogeneous, real-world patient population with RB.

Metabolite systems profiling identifies exploitable weaknesses in retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a childhood eye cancer. Currently, chemotherapy, local therapy, and enucleation are the main ways in which these tumors are managed. The present work is the first study that uses constraint-based reconstruction and analysis approaches to identify and explain RB-specific survival strategies, which are RB tumor specific. Importantly, our model-specific secretion profile is also found in RB1-depleted human retinal cells in vitro and suggests that novel biomarkers involved in lipid metabolism may be important. Finally, RB-specific synthetic lethals have been predicted as lipid and nucleoside transport proteins that can aid in novel drug target development.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease like presentation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

PURPOSE: To report two rare cases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on tyrosine kinase inhibitors presenting as bilateral serous retinal detachment and ocular inflammation, simulating Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. METHODS: Case series and review of literature. RESULT: Two young patients (one male and one female) with CML on treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (imatinib and dasatanib) under remission presented with bilateral sudden vision loss. One patient had bilateral multiple pockets of serous retinal fluid while the other had panuveitis with exudative retinal detachment. There was neither prodromal symptoms nor systemic signs and symptoms suggestive of VKH in both cases. They responded well to systemic steroid therapy without recurrences with complete visual recovery. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: CML patients can have features similar to VKH even during stable hematological phase and may be possibly associated with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Hence it is important not to misdiagnose and treat such patients with long term immunomodulators.

Polycythemia causing posterior segment vascular occlusions.

A 44-year-old male patient presented with features suggestive of transient central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) followed by permanent CRAO and lateral posterior ciliary artery occlusion. He had diagnostic features of polycythemia vera (PV). When presented for the first time, the patient had features of ocular ischemia such as ocular pain, conjunctival congestion, and retinal opacification but with normal arm-to-retina time and normal arteriovenous transit time. During the second presentation, he had ocular pain, congested conjunctiva, retinal opacification, cherry red spot with box-carrying of retinal vessels, and choroidal infarct (Amalric's sign). He had lost light perception in that eye. Patients with polycythemia are prone to multifocal vascular occlusions and this can be the presenting feature in PV. A timely diagnosis and prompt management can prevent these repeated thromboembolic occlusive episodes.

Incidence and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Urban India: Sankara Nethralaya-Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study (SN-DREAMS II), Report 1.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 4-year incidence and progression of and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) in an Indian population. METHODS: From a cross-sectional study of 1425 subjects with diabetes, 911 (63.9%) returned for 4-year follow-up. After excluding 21 with ungradable retinal images, data from 890 subjects were analyzed. Participants underwent examinations based on a standard protocol, which included grading of retinal photographs. RESULTS: The incidences of DR, diabetic macular edema (DME), and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) were 9.2%, 2.6%, and 5.0%, respectively. In subjects with DR at baseline, the incidence of DME and STDR had increased (11.5% and 22.7%, respectively). 1-step and 2-step progressions of DR were seen in 30.2% and 12.6% of participants, respectively, and 1-step and 2-step regressions were seen in 12.0% and 1.8%, respectively. Incident DR, DME, and STDR were associated with higher systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, OR, 1.21, 2.11 and 1.72, respectively, for every 10 mmHg increase). Incident DR and DME were associated with increasing duration of diabetes (OR 2.29 and 4.77, respectively, for every 10-year increase) and presence of anemia (OR 1.96 and 10.14, respectively). Incident DR was also associated with higher hemoglobin A1c (OR 1.16 for every 1% increase). Variables associated with 1-step progression were every 10 mg/dL increase in serum total cholesterol (OR 15.65) as a risk factor, and 10 mg/dL increase in serum triglyceride (OR 0.52) as a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: The incidences of STDR and DME were higher in people with pre-existing DR than in those without DR at baseline.

Incidence, Progression, and Associated Risk Factors of Posterior Vitreous Detachment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (SN-DREAMS II, Report No. 7).

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and progression of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and factors influencing the same in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes in a South Indian population. METHODS: A subset of 615 subjects from Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study II were included in this study. All of the subjects underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluation including stereo fundus photography. The status of PVD was assessed using B-scan ultrasonography. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The incidence of either incomplete PVD (IPVD) or complete PVD (CPVD) from no PVD at baseline visit was 80.8%. Of them, 32.63% converted to CPVD from IPVD at baseline. High prevalence of emmetropia was observed in subjects with stable No PVD. Risk factors associated with the conversion of CPVD from no PVD and IPVD at baseline were age (OR: 1.04, p = 0.002), myopia (OR: 2.14, p = 0.009), and increase in axial length (OR: 1.35, p = 0.004). Subjects undergoing cataract surgery were at 2.32 times higher risk of converting to CPVD (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Independent risk factors for the progression of PVD were increase in age, myopia, increased axial length, and cataract surgery.

Retinal sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study (SN-DREAMS II, Report No. 4).

AIM: To evaluate retinal sensitivity (RS) in subjects with diabetes in a population-based study and to elucidate associated risk factors for abnormal RS. METHODS: A subset of 357 subjects from Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Study-II was included in this study. All subjects underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluation including microperimetry and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The prevalence of abnormal mean retinal sensitivity (MRS) was 89.1%. MRS was significantly reduced in subjects with diabetes but no retinopathy when compared with non-diabetic subjects. MRS was reduced in moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and macular oedema (ME) at 8° (p=0.04, p=0.01, respectively) and in ME at 10° (p=0.009) and 12° (p=0.036) compared with no DR. Significant negative correlation was found between MRS and best corrected visual acuity, duration of diabetes, glycosylated haemoglobin and central foveal thickness. Increased retinal thickness remained a significant risk factor (OR, 1.02; p=0.044) for abnormal MRS. Altered inner retinal layers and foveal contour were associated with reduced MRS among subjects with DR and presence of epiretinal membrane, altered foveal contour and altered retinal pigment epithelium were associated with reduced MRS. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced RS in those subjects with diabetes but no retinopathy suggests the early neuronal damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Influence of dietary-fibre intake on diabetes and diabetic retinopathy: Sankara Nethralaya-Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (report 26).

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to report the influence of dietary-fibre intake on diabetes and diabetic microangiopathies among subjects >40 years in Urban India. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1383 patients were included in the study, 1261 diabetics and 122 controls. METHODS: All subjects underwent comprehensive eye examination including assessment of diabetic retinopathy using fundus photography. Dietary-fibre intake was assessed using a validated questionnaire. All questions were validated based on factor analysis (overall communalities value >0.5). The cut-off for low-fibre diet was calculated by the average of study scores (≤ 32 for low-fibre diet). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of diabetes in subjects with low-fibre diet versus healthy diet and risk of microangiopathies. RESULTS: Subjects with low-fibre diet intake, had 1.51 times more risk of microalbuminuria than those with a healthy-fibre diet. Similarly, the odds of having diabetic retinopathy and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio 1.41 [95% CI 1.02-1.94] and odds ratio 2.24 [95% CI 1.01-5.02], respectively) in low-fibre diet subjects were more. Low-fibre diet was consumed predominantly by lower socioeconomic status group (11.9 vs. 6.5, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with type II diabetes had a lower dietary-fibre intake. The presence of diabetic retinopathy, sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy and microalbuminuria were also associated with lower dietary-fibre intake.