Ophthalmology

Question 1

Features of mild non proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Answer 1

1 or more microaneurysms

Question 2

Features of moderate non proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Answer 2

• microaneurysms
• blot haemorrhages
• hard exudates
• cotton wool spots (‘soft exudates’ - represent areas of retinal infarction), venous beading/looping and intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA) less severe than in severe NPDR

Question 3

Features of severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Answer 3

• blot haemorrhages and microaneurysms in 4 quadrants
• venous beading in at least 2 quadrants
• intraretinal microvascular abnormalities in at least 1 quadrant

Question 4

Features of maculopathy

Answer 4

• based on location rather than severity, anything is potentially serious
• hard exudates and other ‘background’ changes on macula
• check visual acuity
• more common in Type II DM

Question 5

Features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Answer 5

• retinal neovascularisation - may lead to vitrous haemorrhage
• fibrous tissue forming anterior to retinal disc
• more common in Type I DM, 50% blind in 5 years