Background:

diabetic retinopathy is an ocular disease due to diabetes mellitus and caused by a microvascular alteration of the retinal vessels. It is the main cause of vision loss between 30 and 60 years of age. Auto-fluorescence is an important test in the early detection of complications of diabetic retinopathy, and it can act in time to reduce the incidence of irreversible visual alterations.

Objective:

to carry out an updated review on diabetic retinopathy and the indications of auto-fluorescence in this pathology.

Methods:

a literature review was carried out in the Lilacs, Medline and Scielo databases. The descriptors used were: Diabetic retinopathy, auto-fluorescence, complications, diagnostic imaging therapy. With the bibliographic data obtained in 80 published articles, 34 (27 published in the last 5 years and 7 of previous years) were selected.

Results:

traditionally established aspects and others that are under discussion by many authors were contemplated.

Conclusions:

diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of visual loss in adults, with significant medical, social and financial consequences. Its complications are avoidable in 80-90 % of cases. Auto-fluorescence is an important test in the early detection of complications of diabetic retinopathy, which allow to act in time to reduce the incidence of irreversible visual alterations.

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