Changes of normal appearing optic nerve head on diffusion-weighted imaging in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether there is any change by measuring ADC values particularly of the optic nerve head (ONH) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: ADC values at the ONHs was measured in 56 patients and 68 controls. RESULTS: ADC values of ONHs were significantly higher in patients with DR compared to controls (p=0.011). ADC values in patients with macular edema were higher than those without macular edema (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: DWI of ONHs can be useful in cases where it is difficult to assess macular edema during fundus examination, especially in diabetic patients with cataract.