DDx for retinal vascular and disc pathology

Question 1

What do signs of retinal vascular diseases arise from?

Answer 1

they arise from two main changes: vascular leakage and vascular occlusion

Question 2

What does occlusion of capillaries cause?

Answer 2

Ischaemia

Question 3

What retinal changes does ischaemia cause?

Answer 3

CWS, irregular retinal veins, new vessels

Question 4

What does leakage from capillaries cause?

Answer 4

lipid exudates, oedema, haemorrhages

Question 5

What are haemorrhages?

Answer 5

blood leakage from damaged blood vessels

Question 6

What is oedema?

Answer 6

fluid leakage from damaged vessels

Question 7

What are exudates?

Answer 7

formed by lipid, lipoprotein ad lipid containing macrophages (yellow in colour), with well defines margins

Question 8

What are CWS?

Answer 8

fluffy white focal lesions with indistinct margins

Question 9

What are new vessels?

Answer 9

an ischemic retina releases vasogenic factors which result in the growth of abnormal blood vessels and fibrous tissue

Question 10

What is the management of underlying retinal vascular pathology?

Answer 10

*Symptoms
*Signs
*Differential diagnosis
*Work-up
*Diagnosis
*Treatment
*Follow-up

Question 11

What are the different conditions related to ocular occlusion?

Answer 11

Classification of diseases affecting the ocular circulation:
*Diabetic retinopathy (DR)
*Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)
*Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO)
*Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)
*Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)
*Hypertensive retinopathy
*Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
*Sickle cell retinopathy
*Retinal artery microaneurysm
*Ocular ischaemic syndrome
*Radiation retinopathy
*Crystalline retinopathy
*Valsalva retinopathy
*Retinopathy in blood disorders
*Congenital vascular anomalies