Diabetic Eye Disease Flashcards
What are the main types of diabetic eye disease?
Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, cranial nerve palsies, retinal artery/vein occlusions
What is the primary cause of diabetic retinopathy?
Chronic hyperglycaemia damages blood vessels supplying the retina
What happens to blood vessels in diabetic retinopathy?
They may dilate (microaneurysms) or rupture (small haemorrhages)
What causes the leakage of lipids in diabetic retinopathy?
Increased vascular permeability
What is the role of VEGF in diabetic retinopathy?
Chronic hypoxia causes release of VEGF leading to neovascularisation
What can neovascularisation lead to in diabetic retinopathy?
Vitreous haemorrhage
What are some risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?
- Chronic hyperglycaemia
- Hypertension
- Pregnancy
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Ethnicity
What are common clinical features of diabetic retinopathy?
Asymptomatic until significant macular oedema or large vitreous haemorrhage; symptomatic: floaters, blurred vision, reduced VA, loss of vision, blindness
What findings are observed during the clinical examination of diabetic retinopathy?
- Microaneurysms
- Dot and blot haemorrhages
- Hard exudates
- Cotton wool spots
- Venous beading
- Reduced VA
- Neovascularisation
What are the classifications of diabetic retinopathy?
- Non-proliferative
- Proliferative
- Diabetic macular oedema
What does the 4-2-1 rule indicate in severe pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
- Blot haemorrhages in 4 quadrants
- Venous bleeding in 2 quadrants
- IRMA in 1 quadrant
What are key management strategies for diabetic retinopathy?
- Glycaemic control
- Hypertension control
- Diet, exercise, smoking cessation
- Photocoagulation
- Anti-VEGF injections
- Screening
True or False: Diabetic retinopathy is often symptomatic in its early stages.
False
Fill in the blank: Increased vascular permeability in diabetic retinopathy causes _______ and lipoproteins to leak out.
[lipids]
