Diabetic retinopathy Flashcards
1
Q
Diabetic retinopathy
A
- chronic high glucose levels
- damage to microvasculature
- vessel dilation - haemorrhage
- increased vascular permeability - lipids leak out, hard exudates
- low oxygen promotes VEGF - neovascularisation
- can cause retinal detachment
2
Q
Diabetic retinopathy risk factors
A
- time exposed to hyperglycaemia
- time since diabetes diagnosis
- hypertension
- pregnancy
- hyperlipidaemia/cholesterolaemia
3
Q
Diabetic retinopathy presentation
A
- often asymptomatic
- floaters due to haemorrhages
- blurred vision, distortion - macula
- decreased visual acuity
- loss of vision
4
Q
Diabetic retinopathy investigations
A
- HbA1c to assess glycaemic control
- visual acuity - LogMAR, Snellen
- fundus photography or slit lamp
- optical coherence tomography
- fluorescein angiography - vasculature
- classify into proliferative, non-proliferative, or macular oedema
5
Q
Diabetic retinopathy management
A
- conservative - diet, smoking, exercise
- glycaemic and blood pressure control
- intravitreal anti-VEGF injections
- pan-retinal photocoagulation- reduces photoreceptors and therefore lowers oxygen demand (may reduce peripheral and night vision)
- vitrectomy and vitreous repair
