Retinopathy

Question 1

are microvascular complications seen in the absence of hyperglycaemia

Answer 1

no

Question 2

when is screening for all patients done

Answer 2

at annual review

Question 3

what eye pathologies do people with diabetes get

Answer 3

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Macular Oedema
Cataract- clouding of the lens (develops earlier in people with diabetes)
Glaucoma- increase in fluid pressure in the eye leading to optic nerve damage
Acute hyperglycaemia- visual blurring (reversible)

Question 4

is acute hyperglycaemia visual blurring reversible

Answer 4

yes

Question 5

what is glaucoma

Answer 5

increased fluid pressure in the eye leading to optic nerve damage

Question 6

what is cataract

Answer 6

clouding of the lens ; develops earlier
increased sugar contents in lens

Question 7

stages of retinopathy

Answer 7

Mild non-proliferative (Background)
Moderate non-proliferative
Severe non-proliferative
Proliferative

Question 8

what are harf exudates

Answer 8

lipid break down products

Question 9

what are cotton wool spots

Answer 9

ischaemic areas

Question 10

haemorrages

Answer 10

dot, blot, flame

Question 11

signs of bleeding

Answer 11

sudden change in vision
floaters

Question 12

treatment

Answer 12

laser pan retinal photocoagulation

Question 13

treatment if vitreal haemorrhage

Answer 13

virectomy

Question 14

role of Laser – pan retinal photocoagulation

Answer 14

reduces oxygen requirement for retins
reduces ischaemia that is driving the retinopathy

Question 15

what is macular oedema

Answer 15

when fluid and protein deposits collect on or under the macula of the eye and causes it to thicken and swell

Question 16

NPDR

Answer 16

Early stages of retinopathy, rated from mild-severe (with severe being last stage before proliferative retinopathy)

Question 17

PDR

Answer 17

Blockage of blood vessels leads to areas of non perfusion and ischaemia

Question 18

what does the ischaemia cause

Answer 18

release of vascular growth factors e.g. VEGF which cause new blood vessels to grow in the retina (neovascularisation)