Retinal Disease Flashcards
What is the first line treatment for diabetic retinopathy?
Laser photocoagulation - form of laser therapy
What is the difference in the appearance and composition of cotton wool spots and hard exudates?
Cotton wool spots
- fluffy spots
- damage to nerve fibres
Hard exudates
- yellow/white deposits
- lipids which have leaked from vessels
Why does diabetic retinopathy occur?
Hyperglycaemia -> damage to small retinal vessels and endothelial cells
-> increase vascular permeability (leaky vessels)
Diabetic retinopathy is often asymptomatic. T/F?
T - often picked up on routine screen
Why does neovascularisation occur in diabetic retinopathy?
Why is it sight threatening?
GF released from leaky vessels -> angiogenesis
New vessels are weak and more likely to haemorrhage
What makes non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy severe?
Blot haemorrhages in 4 quadrants
Venous beading in 2 quadrants
+ intra-retinal microvascular abnormality (IMRA)
What are the two signs of proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
- Neovascularisation
- Vitreous haemorrhage
Name 3 signs which may be seen on fundoscopy for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
NB: A lot of these are buzzwords
- venous beading
- cotton wool spots
- microaneurysms
What are the 3 buzzword symptoms for retinal detachment?
- Floaters
- Flashing lights
- Curtain/veil coming down over vision
If a patient presents to clinic with retinal detachment what should be done
Refer to ophthalmology immediately - immediate surgery
Why is retinal detachment sight threatening?
Retina detaches at pigmented epi. - needs choroid for vascular supply - w/o it undergoes necrosis
