Diabetic Retinopathy
Also written as DR.
and is associated with a high rate (10–35%) of fetal mortality.\nPregnancy is associated with worsening of diabetic retinopathy
What our notes say
- and is associated with a high rate (10–35%) of fetal mortality.\nPregnancy is associated with worsening of diabetic retinopathy (Davidson's Essentials of Medicine - 2nd)
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common cause of blindness in adults (Davidson's Essentials of Medicine - 2nd)
- Diabetic retinopathy is\nthe commonest cause of blindness in adults aged 30-65 y/o. (Lecture 38-Complications of Diabetes (2nd update))
- The risk of diabetic retinopathy after 15 yr duration of diabetes is 98% for individuals with T1DM and 78% for those with T2DM. (Longterm complications of Diabetes)
- The more severe form is proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which manifests by neovascularization, fibrous proliferation, and preretinal and vitreous hemorrhages.\nProliferative retinopathy, if not treated, is relentlessly progressive and impairs vision, leading to blindness. (Longterm complications of Diabetes)
- Blindness from diabetic retinopathy is a frequent long term complication of diabetes mellitus. (Atherosclerosis — Past Paper)
Study material on Diabetic Retinopathy
Practice questions on Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy — which feature distinguishes PROLIFERATIVE from non-proliferative (background) retinopathy?
- Hard exudates
- Microaneurysms
- New vessel formation (neovascularization) on the retina or disc
- Dot and blot hemorrhages
Answer: C. Non-proliferative (background): microaneurysms (earliest), dot/blot hemorrhages, hard exudates, cotton wool spots (nerve fiber layer infarcts). Proliferative: neovascularization → vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment, rubeosis iridis → blindness. Treatment: laser photocoagulation + anti-VEGF (bevacizumab).