Diabetes and the Eye Flashcards
how does hyperglycaemia in diabetes affect the eyes
results in changes in osmotic pressures in the anterior chamber of the eye in front of the lens
what vision change is often part of the presenting complaint in T1DM
blurred vision
what pupil changes can occur due to diabetes
Argyll Robertson Pupil, due to peripheral neuropathy
describe how diabetes can cause cataracts
increased sugar content in lens and conversion of glucose to sorbitol, also altered osmotic gradients results in swelling and fibre disruption
what is rubeotic glaucoma that can be seen in diabetes
new vessel formation obstructing the angle of fluid drainage from the anterior chamber
(also seen in severe venous occlusion)
briefly describe what happens in diabetic retinopathy
complex mechanisms leading to poor function of vessels, leaky vessels and small aneurysms forming, oedema, new vessel formation if severe
what impact does diabetic retinopathy have if it affects the macula
results in worse visual loss
what are the 3 stages of diabetic retinopathy
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR) and diabetic macular oedema
what pathology is seen with NPDR
hard exudates, microaneurysms, intraretinal haemorrhages
patients may be asymptomatic
what clinical signs are seen in PDR
neovascularisation, vitreous haemorrhage and traction
what are the symptoms associated with a vitreous haemorrhage
floaters and severe visual loss
what can laser treatment help with in severe NPDR
can prevent long-term visual loss
what is the gold standard treatment for macular oedema, and what does it do
anti-VEGF injections, decrease capillary permeability and angiogenesis
