Diabetic Eye Diseases

Question 1

What is the pathophysiology behind diabetic retinopathy?

Answer 1

chronic hyperglycaemia leads to glycolation of the protein basement membrane which leads to a loss of pericytes which leads to micro aneurysms and leakage and ischeamia

Question 2

What are the two types of retinopathy?

Answer 2

proliferative

non proliferative

Question 3

What are the signs of non proliferative retinopathy?

Answer 3

micro aneurysms
exudate
cotton wool patches
abnormal venous calibre - sausage like
intra retinal mucrovascular abnormalities

Question 4

What are the signs of proliferative retinopathy?

Answer 4

new vessels on the disc (NVD)
new vessels on the periphery (NVE)
new vessels on the iris (rubeosis iridis)

Question 5

How do people suffering from diabetic retinopathy lose their eyesight?

Answer 5

retinal oedema affecting the fovea
vitreous haemorrhage
scarring/tractional retinal detachment

Question 6

What is diabetic maculopathy?

Answer 6

lipid leakage or odema build up on the macula

Question 7

What is the treatment of diabetic maculopathy?

Answer 7

laser - pan retinal photocoagulation (parts of retina goes white initially because its been burnt)
surgery - vitrectomy

Question 8

What is the result of laser treatment for diabetic maculopathy?

Answer 8

macula is spared so the patient can still have 6/5 vision but their peripheral field of vision will have been narrowed due to laser scarring

Question 9

What are the signs of hypertensive retinopathy?

Answer 9

attenuated blood vessels
copper or silver wriring on the arterial supply
cotton wool spots
hard exudates
retinal haemorrhages
optic disc oedema

Question 10

What is hypertensive retinopathy?

Answer 10

vascular retinal damage