Eye disease related to DM

Question 1

True or false: DM is the leading cause of blindness among adults 20-74 years in the US

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What is the most severe form of diabetic eye disease?

Answer 2

Diabetic retinopathy

Question 3

The rate of cataracts for pt’s with DM is significantly _____ than that of the general population

Answer 3

Higher, with faster progression to vision loss

Question 4

What is the first clinical finding of diabetic retionaphty?

Answer 4

Abnormalities of the retinal blood vessels

Question 5

How is diabetic retinopathy staged?

Answer 5

Mild (non proliferative)
Moderate
Severe (proliferative)

Question 6

Retinopathy is often detectable within ____ years of the onset of DM

Answer 6

5

Question 7

The development and progression of retionopathy correlate strongly to what?

Answer 7

Degree of glycemic stability and duration of DM

BP and lipid stability are also important

Question 8

What is the recommended frequency patient with DM1 should have eye exams?

Answer 8

Routine diabetic eye exam at puberty (if DM dx’d by then) and within 3-5 years of receiving dx of DM. thereafter, pt’s should have annual exam

Pt’s should also have an exam when pregnant

Question 9

What is the recommended frequency of eye exams for pt’s with DM2?

Answer 9

At time of dx, yearly thereafter, as well as when pregnant

Question 10

What is proliferative retinopathy characterized by?

Answer 10

Abnormal new vessel growth, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment