Diabetic eye disease Flashcards

1
Q

What are 9 diseases of the eye caused by diabetes?

A
  1. blepharitis (inflammation of lid margins)
  2. Neurotrophic cornea
  3. Uveitis
  4. Glaucoma
  5. Cataracts
  6. Retinopathy
  7. Maculopathy
  8. Optic neuropathy
  9. Cranial nerve palsies (double vision)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is meant by neurotrophic cornea?

A

Nerves supplying the cornea are affected, so cornea becomes neurotrophic (decreased corneal sensitivity) and more prone to getting corneal erosions and scarring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the two most important diseases of the eye caused by diabetes?

A
  1. Maculopathy

2. Retinopathy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What population group is diabetes the commonest cause of blindness in?

A

People of working age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Within how many years after diagnosis will all type I diabetics have some retinopathy?

A

20 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What proportion of type II diabetics have some retinopathy at diagnosis?

A

at least 21%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What 2 risk factors produce an increased risk of microvascular complications in type II diabetes, according to the UKPDS study?

A
  1. poor glycaemic control

2. high blood pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

According to the DCCT and EDIC studies, what factor has a strong relationship with retinopathy in type 1 diabetics and what 2 aspects of retinopathy does it influence?

A

HbA1c; influences onset of retinopathy and its progression

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What, according to the DCCT and EDIC studies, will a 10% reduction in HbA1c in type I diabetics lead to?

A

39% reduction in risk of retinopathy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which type of diabetes (1 or 2) has a higher rate of retinopathy?

A

Type 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the relationship between duration of diabetes and incidence of retinopathy?

A

the longer the duration of diabetes, the higher the incidence of retinopathy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What effect can pregnancy in type I diabetes have on eye disease?

A

it can very rapidly worsen retinopathy (also type I diabetics more likely to be pregnant than type II diabetics)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the effect on eye disease of diabetes patients with other diabetic microangiopathy e.g. nephropathy?

A

worse retinopathy in these patients; renal failure linked to retinopathy progressing much faster

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What may increase the number of hard exudates in the retinas of patients with diabetes?

A

hypercholesterolaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What may double the risk of retinopathy in type I diabetes?

A

smoking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the definition of diabetic retinopathy?

A

diabetic microangiopathy affecting the retinal blood vessels, resulting predominantly from poor metabolic control and leading to progressive retinal damage which may end in complete visual loss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the pathophysiology of microangiopathy in diabetic retinopathy? 3 key elements

A
  1. Pericyte death due to hyperglycaemia.
  2. Basement membrane thickening limiting oxygen transfusion
  3. Leucostasis causing occlusion (abnormal immune function)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the 2 ways that microangiopathy can manifest?

A
  1. microvascular occlusion

2. microvascular leakage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are 4 results of microvascular occlusion?

A
  1. cotton wool spots
  2. capillary closure
  3. ateriovenous shunts
  4. neovascularisation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are 2 results of microvacsular leakage?

A
  1. Retinal haemorrhage

2. Retinal exudation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the cause of dot haemorrhages?

A

microaneurysms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What feature on the retina is the earliest detectable sign of diabetes?

A

dot haemorrhages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are 6 key visible retinal features of diabetic retinopathy?

A
  1. dot haemorrhages/ microneurysms
  2. blot haemorrhages
  3. cotton wool spots
  4. hard exudate
  5. oedema
  6. neovascularisation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What causes the microaneurysms in the retina/ dot haemorrhages?

A

loss of pericytes and outpouching of the capillary wall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are 4 possible outcomes of dot haemorrhages/ microaneurysms?

A
  1. large proportion will spontaneously resolve (50%)
  2. may burst to form blot haemorrhage
  3. infarct to form cotton wool spot
  4. leak to form exudates +/- oedema
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Where do blot haemorrhages arise?

A

from the venous side of the capillaries, deeper in the retina that dot haemorrhages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What 2 things can blot haemorrhages be a sign of?

A

ischaemia and leakage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are hard exudates and oedema in the retina caused by?

A

microvascular leakage; accumulation of lipoproteins between inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers of the retina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What do hard exudates and oedema in the retina look like? Look at a picture

A

yellow-waxy appearance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are cotton wool spots in the retina caused by?

A

areas of retinal ischaemia caused by axoplasmic leakage; sign of localised infarction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What are cotton wool spots in the retina a sign of?

A

pre-proliferative sign, sign of severe ischaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

How might hard eudates and oedema appear when visualising the retina?

A

may be a circinate ring around the source of leakage - i.e. the microaneurysm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What are hard exudates and oedema in the retina often associated with?

A

swelling of the retina- cystoid macula oedema

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Look at an OCT of the retina showing oedema. What does it show us?

A

dark area under lifted retina is fluid; leaking of aneurysm has caused diabetic macular oedema

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What does neovascularisation in the retina indicate?

A

severe ischaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Where might neovascularisation in the retina occur, and how is this termed?

A

at the optic disc or elsewhere: NVD = new vessels at the disc, NVE= new vessels elsewhere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What are the 2 types of diabetic grading for retinopathy and their purposes?

A
  1. Clinical grading: for use in clinic

2. Screening grading: Revised English Diabetic Eye Screening Programme Grading Classification - for screening purposes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

What is background retinopathy?

A

mild form of retinopathy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What is pre-proliferative retinopathy?

A

stage of severe ischaemia that’s likely to progress to formation of new blood vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What are the three categories in which each eye is graded in the Revised English Diabetic Eye Screening Programme Grading Classification?

A
  1. Retinopathy
  2. Maculopathy
  3. Photocoagulation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What are the 6 ways that retinopathy can be graded in the REDESP Grading Classification?

A
R0 = no retinoapathy
R1 = background retinopathy
R2 = pre-proliferative retinopathy
R3 = proliferative retinopathy
A = active
S = stable
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What are the 2 ways that maculopathy can be graded in the REDESP grading classification?

A

M0 absent

M1 present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

What are the 2 ways that photocoagulation can be graded in the REDESP grading classification?

A

P1 added if present, omitted if absent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

How would you write background retinopathy with no macular involvement in the REDESP grading classification?

A

R1 M0

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

What does R3s M0 P1 indicate in the REDESP grading classification?

A

Proliferative retinopathy that is stable, with no macular involvement and photocoagulation present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What might R1 background retinopathy involve - 3 things?

A
  1. microaneurysms (dot haemorrhages)
  2. retinal haemorrhages
  3. exudate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What are 3 possible features of R2 pre-proliferative retinopathy?

A
  1. venous beading, looping or reduplication
  2. intraretinal microvascular abnormalities
  3. multiple deep, round haemorrahges
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What should prompt you to look carefully for the features of pre-proliferative retinopathy?

A

cotton wool spots present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

What are 4 possible features of R3a / proliferative retinopathy?

A
  1. New vessels on disc (NVD)
  2. New vessels elsewhere (NVE)
  3. Pre-retinal or vitreous haemorrhage
  4. Pre-retinal fibrosis +/- tractional retinal detachment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

What are 4 possible features of R3a / active proliferative retinopathy?

A
  1. New vessels on disc (NVD)
  2. New vessels elsewhere (NVE)
  3. Pre-retinal or vitreous haemorrhage
  4. Pre-retinal fibrosis +/- tractional retinal detachment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

What are 4 possible features of R2 / pre-proliferative retinopathy?

A
  1. venous beading, looping or reduplication
  2. intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA) in retina rather than vitreous
  3. dot and blot haemorrhages, flame shaped haemorrhages
  4. multiple deep, round haemorrahges
  5. cotton wool spots
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

What does R3s / stable proliferative retinopathy look like?

A

This is post treatment, peripheral retinal laser treatment AND shows stable retina from photograph taken after discharge from hospital eye service

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Look at a picture of background retinopathy

A

haemorrhages, microaneurysms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

Look at a picture of pre-proliferative retinopathy. What are 3 key features?

A

cotton wool spots, blot haemorrhages, flame-shaped haemorrhages

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

What causes retinal venous beading?

A

dilation of veins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

What are 3 retinal venous abnormalities that occur at the pre-proliferative (R2) stage?

A

Reduplication, looping, beading

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What is pre-retinal haemorrhage?

A

occurs in proliferative retinopathy, fluid level at bottom of vitreous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

What causes pre-retinal fibrosis?

A

In diabetic retinopathy that is severe and advanced, there is the formation of gliotic/ fibrovascular membranes

59
Q

Look at pictures of pre-retinal haemorrhage, new vessels at the disc and new vessels elsewhere, pretinal fibrosis and ractional retinal deachment

A

see diabetic eye disease document if needed

60
Q

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy affecting the peripheral retina?

A

tends to be asymptomatic

61
Q

What causes diabetic maculopathy?

A

microvascular damage within the retina

62
Q

What are likely the symptoms of diabetic maculopathy?

A

fine vision disturbance (much more likely to notice than peripheral retinopathy)

63
Q

What is the leading cause of blindness in diabetics?

A

Diabetic maculopathy

64
Q

What are the 2 type of maculopathy that it can be classified into?

A
  1. exudative - leakage

2. ischaemic

65
Q

What are 2 types of exudative maculopathy?

A
  1. focal part of macula affected

2. diffuse - diffuse breakdown of blood-retinal barrier with leakage throughout retina

66
Q

What causes ischaemic maculopathy?

A

Dropout of capillaries in macula - can be seen on FFA

67
Q

How can ischaemic maculopathy be shown using imaging techniques?

A

Fundal fluorescein angiography - shows dropout of capillaries in macula

68
Q

What are the 2 levels of maculopathy grading?

A
  1. Level M0: no maculopathy

2. Level M1: maculopathy

69
Q

What 4 things count as M1/ maculopathy present?

A
  1. exudate within <1 DD (disc diameter) of fovea centre
  2. circinate/ group of exudates <22 DD of fovea centre
  3. Retinal thickening within 1 DD of the centre of the fovea (if stereo available)
  4. any microaneurysm or haemorrhage within 1 DD of the centre of the fovea only if associated with a best visual acuity of <6/12 (if no stereo)
70
Q

Look at an FFA showing ischaemic maculopathy

A

macula appears dark

71
Q

What is the best way to visualise macular oedema in diffuse exudative maculopathy?

A

OCT

72
Q

What are the 2 levels of photocoagulation grading?

A
  1. Not recorded: no laser scars

2. Level P: macular laser scars, scatter laser scars in periphery

73
Q

How can severe diabetic retinopathy lead to rubeosis?

A

VEGF causes new blood vessel growth, and the VEGF can diffuse forwards to form vessel growth in the iris due to ischaemia in the anterior retina and iris.

74
Q

What 2 things can occur as a result of new vessel growth in the iris in rubeosis?

A

the new vessels can bleed, causing a hyphaema or glaucoma

75
Q

What are 4 types of diabetic eye disease that can occur as a result of advanced diabetic eye disease, as a consequence of new vessel growth?

A
  1. Rubeosis
  2. Vitreous haemorrhage
  3. Neovascular glaucoma
  4. Retinal detachment
76
Q

How can vitreous haemorrhage occur in severe diabetic eye disease?

A

bleeding from new vessels due to ischaemia

77
Q

What difficulty on examination does vitreous haemorrhage cause?

A

blocks red reflex making fundoscopy difficult

78
Q

What key symptom is there in vitreous haemorrhage?

A

reduces patient vision

79
Q

What is the treatment for vitreous haemorrhage in severe diabetic eye disease?2 elements

A

needs urgent laser to reduce ischaemia; if persistent may require surgery

80
Q

What can cause neovascular glaucoma in severe diabetic eye disease?

A

New blood vessels growing on iris/irido-corneal drainage angle, blocks drainage of aqueous

81
Q

What are the symptoms of neovascular glaucoma?

A

Very high intraocular pressure causes a painful eye

82
Q

What is the prognosis like for neovascular glaucoma secondary to severe diabetic eye disease?

A

Very difficult to treat therefore poor prognosis

83
Q

How can severe diabetic eye disease lead to retinal detachment?

A

retinal haemorrhage due to new vessels causes fibrotic scarring. contraction of adherent fibrotic scars pull on the retina, causing detachment and ultimately blindness

84
Q

What might be a treatment option for retinal detachment secondary to severe diabetic eye disease?

A

might be amenable to surgery

85
Q

What are 3 main treatment options for diabetic retinopathy?

A
  1. laser
  2. intravitreal injections: steroids, anti-VEGF
  3. surgery - if advanced
86
Q

What is the mainstay of treatments for diabetic retinopathy?

A

Laser

87
Q

How does laser treatment work to treat proliferative retinopathy?

A
  • Laser light is absorbed by the retina, creating heat.
  • Heat destroys the photoreceptors, reducing the oxygen demand
  • therefore reduces ischaemia and release of pro-angiogenic factors
88
Q

What is the type of laser treatment that is used for proliferative retinopathy in diabetes?

A

Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP)

89
Q

What is the laser treatment for focal exudative maculopathy?

A

Focal laser

90
Q

What is the laser treatment for diffuse exudative maculopathy?

A

Macular grid

91
Q

Is there any laser treatment available for ischaemic maculopathy?

A

no

92
Q

How does panretinal photocoagulation work?

A

reduces retinal ischaemia by destroying the peripheral retina, reduces stimulus for new vessel growth; relies on sacrificing the peripheral retina for the central vision

93
Q

What is one of the disadvantages of panretinal photocoagulation?

A

may have a very reduced visual field and be unable to drive (can also be uncomfortable for patients, may need multiple laser sessions)

94
Q

What is the purpose of using laser treatment for focal/diffuse exudative maculopathy?

A

Used to try to reduce exudative leakage and oedema

95
Q

How is laser treatment used for focal exudative maculopathy?

A

focal approach: leakage from specific microaneurysm causes the focal maculopathy, so small number of laser spots applied

96
Q

How is laser treatment used for diffuse exudative maculopathy (i.e. no obvious point of leakage)?

A

Gentle laser around centre of macular, laser applied more diffusely in a grid pattern called a Macular Grid

97
Q

What can heavy burns during laser treatment for diabetic maculopathy lead to?

A

blind spots

98
Q

What are 2 complications of focal laser (for focal exudative maculopathy)?

A
  1. Heavy macular burn can cause blind spots

2. small scars may slowly enlarge over time

99
Q

What are 4 complications of PRP (panretinal photocoagulation)?

A
  1. reduced visual field - patient must notify DVLA
  2. reduced night vision
  3. inadvertent macular burn and blind spot (e.g. if patient inadvertently looks at laser can damage fovea)
  4. Bleeding - may occur due to regression of blood vessels
100
Q

Who must patients notify after having PRP due to the reduced visual field?

A

DVLA

101
Q

What are the 3 types of intravitreal injections commonly used to treat exudative maculopathy? Chemical name and trade name

A
  1. Bevacizumab (Avastin)
  2. Aflibercept (Eylea)
  3. Ranibizumab (Lucentis)
102
Q

What are two types of steroid intravitreal injections?

A
  1. Triamcinolone

2. Steroid implants e.g. Osurdex

103
Q

What type of diabetic eye disease are intravitreal injections most commonly used for?

A

exudative maculopathy

104
Q

Where anatomically are intravitreal injections administered?

A

Between the retina and the lens (invasive)

105
Q

What is the laser treatment for focal exudative maculopathy?

A

Focal laser

106
Q

What is the laser treatment for diffuse exudative maculopathy?

A

Macular grid

107
Q

What is the mechanism of action of anti-VEGF agents generally?

A

block VEGF-A, reducing the stimulus for neovasuclarisation

108
Q

How does panretinal photocoagulation work?

A

reduces retinal ischaemia by destroying the peripheral retina, reduces stimulus for new vessel growth; relies on sacrificing the peripheral retina for the central vision

109
Q

What is one of the disadvantages of panretinal photocoagulation?

A

may have a very reduced visual field and be unable to drive (can also be uncomfortable for patients, may need multiple laser sessions)

110
Q

What are 2 things that anti-VEGF injections?

A
  1. treat exudative maculopathy (may require multiple injections)
  2. temporarily reduce new vessels before surgery or laser (more permanent treatment)
111
Q

How is laser treatment used for focal exudative maculopathy?

A

focal approach: leakage from specific microaneurysm causes the focal maculopathy, so small number of laser spots applied

112
Q

How is laser treatment used for diffuse exudative maculopathy (i.e. no obvious point of leakage)?

A

Gentle laser around centre of macular, laser applied more diffusely in a grid pattern called a Macular Grid

113
Q

What can heavy burns during laser treatment for diabetic maculopathy lead to?

A

blind spots

114
Q

What are 2 complications of focal laser (for focal exudative maculopathy)?

A
  1. Heavy macular burn can cause blind spots

2. small scars may slowly enlarge over time

115
Q

What are 4 complications of PRP (panretinal photocoagulation)?

A
  1. reduced visual field - patient must notify DVLA
  2. reduced night vision
  3. inadvertent macular burn and blind spot (e.g. if patient inadvertently looks at laser can damage fovea)
  4. Bleeding - may occur due to regression of blood vessels
116
Q

Who must patients notify after having PRP due to the reduced visual field?

A

DVLA

117
Q

What are the 3 types of intravitreal injections commonly used to treat exudative maculopathy? Chemical name and trade name

A
  1. Bevacizumab (Avastin)
  2. Aflibercept (Eylea)
  3. Ranibizumab (Lucentis)
118
Q

What are 2 specific things that vitrectomy is used for in severe diabetic retinopathy?

A
  1. Vision-threatening tractional retinal detachment

2. Persistent vitreous haemorrhage- reduces vision or precludes laser treatment

119
Q

What are the 3 aims of vitrectomy treatment?

A
  1. removal of vitreous gel
  2. division of fibrovascular bands
  3. further laser - endolaser
120
Q

Where anatomically are intravitreal injections administered?

A

Between the retina and the lens (invasive)

121
Q

What are 4 complications of intravitreal injections?

A
  1. Endophthalmitis
  2. haemorrhage
  3. cataract (if damage to lens)
  4. retinal detchament (if damage to retina)
122
Q

What can be said about the overall safety of intravitreal injections?

A

Generally very safe

123
Q

What are the mechanisms of action specifically for each of the three common anti-VEGF agents?

A
  1. Aflibercept (Eylea) - receptor fragment
  2. Bevacizumab (Avastin) - antibody
  3. Ranibizumab (Lucentis) - antibody fragment
124
Q

How frequently are anti-VEGF IV injections given

A

monthly, sometimes less frequently

125
Q

Why are anti-VEGF injections only a temporary treatment for diabetic retinopathy?

A

treats the result but not the cause of ischaemia

126
Q

What was one of the first used steroids for diabetic maculopathy?

A

Triamcinolone

127
Q

What type of photography is performed for diabetic retinopathy screening?

A

digital fundus photography

128
Q

Of the two commonly used steroids for diabetic macular oedema, which are licensed?

A
  1. triamcinolone - unlicensed for diabetic macular oedema

2. Ozurdez (dexamethasone) - biodegradable implant , lincensed steroid for macular oedema

129
Q

How long does Ozurde last for?

A

this biodegradable implant lasts 6 months

130
Q

What are 2 intravitreal steroid complications that there is a significant risk of?

A
  1. glaucoma

2. cataract

131
Q

When is surgical vitrectomy used?

A

Diabetic retinopathy

132
Q

What are 2 specific things that vitrectomy is used for in severe diabetic retinopathy?

A
  1. Vision-threatening tractional retinal detachment

2. Persistent vitreous haemorrhage- reduces vision or precludes laser treatment

133
Q

What are 2 reasons why persistent vitreous haemorrhage might be treated with vitrectomy?

A
  1. reduces vision

2. precludes laser treatment

134
Q

Why might patients develop significant retinopathy before presenting to hospital eye services?

A

diabetic retinopathy affecting the peripheral retina is usually asymptomatic

135
Q

When are 2 scenarios when someone with diabetic retinopathy might present?

A
  1. vitreous haemorrhage

2. tractional retinal detachment

136
Q

Why is it a problem if patients with diabetic retinopathy only present once retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage have occurred?

A

by this stage, difficult to treat with good visual outcome

137
Q

Which body is diabetic retinopathy screening centrally coordinated and led by?

A

NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (NHS-DESP)

138
Q

What is the screening programme for diabetics?

A

All diabetics over age of 12 have annual photos taken by Diabetic Retinopathy screening service

139
Q

Who views the annual retina photos taken as part of diabetic retinopathy screening, and what do they do?

A

Trained personnel, grade the diabetic retinopathy (if present) and refer patients who have evidence of pre-proliferative diabetic reinopathy into hospital eye services for treatment before proliferative retinopathy

140
Q

What type of photography is performed for diabetic retinopathy screening?

A

digital fundus photography

141
Q

How many local screening services for diabetic retinopathy screening are there overseen by the Health Authorities? What do they ensure?

A

over 80; central guidelines and quality assurance; primary, secondary, tertiary grading and 10% QA

142
Q

When else are patients referred to hospital eye services after digital fundus photography screening, in addition to pre-proliferative retinopathy?

A

if they show diabetic maculopathy that is threatening vision but hasn’t yet damaged vision (can be given e.g. focal laser treatment)

143
Q

What 2 important factors are vital in preventing retinopathy/preventing progression in diabetes?

A

maintenance of low 1) HbA1c and 2) low BP (note: sometimes rapid improvement can cause worsening of diabetic retinopathy - good to have overall good control)