Diabetic Retinopathy Flashcards
What is diabetic retinopathy?
A microvascular complication of diabetes causing damage to the retina, potentially leading to vision loss.
What are the two main types of diabetic retinopathy?
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
What is the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy?
It is one of the leading causes of blindness in working-age adults worldwide.
What causes diabetic retinopathy?
Chronic hyperglycaemia damages retinal blood vessels, leading to leakage, ischaemia, and neovascularisation.
What are the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?
Duration of diabetes, poor glycaemic control, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and smoking.
What is the pathophysiology of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)?
Microaneurysms, retinal haemorrhages, hard exudates, and macular oedema due to vessel leakage.
What is the pathophysiology of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)?
Ischaemia leads to neovascularisation, which can cause vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment.
What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
Often asymptomatic initially; later symptoms include blurred vision, floaters, and vision loss.
What are the clinical signs of NPDR?
Microaneurysms, dot-and-blot haemorrhages, hard exudates, and macular oedema.
What are the clinical signs of PDR?
Neovascularisation, vitreous haemorrhage, and tractional retinal detachment.
What is diabetic macular oedema (DMO)?
Swelling of the macula due to leakage from retinal blood vessels, causing central vision impairment.
What investigations are used to diagnose diabetic retinopathy?
Fundoscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography.
What are the differential diagnoses for diabetic retinopathy?
Hypertensive retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
What is the conservative management of diabetic retinopathy?
Optimising glycaemic control, blood pressure, and lipid levels, and regular retinal screening.
What is the medical treatment for diabetic macular oedema?
Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (e.g., ranibizumab, aflibercept) or corticosteroids.
What is the surgical treatment for advanced diabetic retinopathy?
Vitrectomy for vitreous haemorrhage or tractional retinal detachment.
What is the role of laser photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy?
Used to treat PDR and DMO by reducing neovascularisation and preventing leakage.
What are potential complications of untreated diabetic retinopathy?
Severe vision loss, vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, and blindness.
What lifestyle changes can help manage diabetic retinopathy?
Maintaining good glycaemic control, controlling blood pressure and lipids, and smoking cessation.
What is the importance of regular screening in diabetic retinopathy?
Early detection allows timely treatment to prevent progression and vision loss.
How does fluorescein angiography help in diabetic retinopathy?
It highlights areas of vascular leakage, ischaemia, and neovascularisation in the retina.
What is the role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetic retinopathy?
It provides detailed imaging of retinal layers to detect macular oedema and structural changes.
Why is diabetic retinopathy often asymptomatic in early stages?
Peripheral retinal changes do not affect central vision until the disease progresses.
What is the prognosis for patients with diabetic retinopathy?
With early detection and appropriate treatment, progression can be slowed and vision preserved.
Why is tight glycaemic control important in diabetic retinopathy?
It reduces the risk of developing retinopathy and slows progression in patients with existing disease.
