Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the retina caused by diabetes. It progresses through three stages defined by pathological changes: no retinopathy, non-proliferative retinopathy, and proliferative retinopathy. In non-proliferative retinopathy, microaneurysms and vascular leakage occur. Proliferative retinopathy is characterized by the growth of abnormal blood vessels driven by ischemia. Treatment depends on the stage, ranging from blood sugar control and exams to anti-VEGF drugs and laser photocoagulation to halt disease progression and complications like vitreous hemorrhaging.

1. By: Adeyemi Coker
4 February 2017

2.  Glossary
 Definition
 Stages, Symptoms & Diagnosis
 Clinical Course & Treatment
 Questions & Responses

3.  DX = Diagnosis
 TX = Treatment
 RX = Prescription Medication
 VEG-F = Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

4.  Diabetes is the most common cause of
blindness in adults.
 Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease of the
retina caused by diabetes. It is a slow
progressive and complicated disease
that affects vision.
The age demographic is 25 – 65
It is one of many conditions in a
patient diagnosed with diabetes

5.  The three stages of this disease are defined
by their pathology, not by clinical
representation or symptoms. However, some
evidentiary symptoms are mild blurring, dark
spots or floaters or sudden onset of blindness.

6.  The first stage is:
Diabetes without Retinopathy:
 dictated by the underlying pathology.
 Underline hypoglycemia (high blood
sugar level) causes damage to perisites
within the retina.
 The damage is caused by the inability
to metabolize glucose within the cells
results in osmotic damage.
 Early stage is detectable under
microscope.
 Not easy to DX.

7.  The second stage is:
 Non orpre-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy:
 Causes weakening of capillary walls and
increase blood flow forming micro
aneurysms (focal dilation of weakened
vessel walls) – look like red dots appearing
throughout the retina: the first clinical signs
of Diabetic Retinopathy.
 Damage increases vascular permeability –
capillaries leak proteins & lipids into retinal
tissue.
 Evident between 15 – 20 years post
diabetic DX.
 Dilated eye exam aids DX.

8.  The third stage is:
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: can be
asymptomatic but very uncommon.
Characterized by vascular proliferation within
the retina.
 Vascular damage results in ischemia (lack of
oxygen to the cells)
 Retina compensates for ischemia but
produces VEG-F, which produces abnormal
new blood vessels.
 Complications are: vitreous hemorrhage and
retinal detachment
 Dilated exams can aid in DX.

9.  TX aimed to halt underlying pathology of
Diabetic Retinopathy
 Use is dictated by severity of symptoms.
 Diabetes without retinopathy: early
aggressive control of blood sugar, annual
dilated eye exams & exercise.
 Non or Pre-proliferative retinopathy: TX
depends on symptoms. If symptoms persist,
anti-VEG-F RX is recommended to prevent
progression to the proliferative stage.

10.  Proliferative retinopathy: laser photo
coagulation – stops the growth. Noteworthy –
it is not curative but aims to stop serious
conditions (i.e. vitreous hemorrhaging and
retinal detachment).