Diabetic retinopathy. Still an important complication

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. The two forms of retinopathy are background (nonproliferative) and proliferative. Risk for retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes. Therefore, diabetics need to have regular eye examinations, including specific techniques, to detect s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPostgraduate medicine Vol. 81; no. 6; p. 191
Main Author Packer, A J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.05.1987
Subjects
Diabetic Retinopathy - classification
Diabetic Retinopathy - complications
Diabetic Retinopathy - diagnosis
Diabetic Retinopathy - surgery
Fluorescein Angiography
Humans
Light Coagulation
Macular Degeneration - complications
Patient Education as Topic
Vision Disorders - etiology
Vision Disorders - prevention & control
Vitrectomy
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Summary:Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness. The two forms of retinopathy are background (nonproliferative) and proliferative. Risk for retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes. Therefore, diabetics need to have regular eye examinations, including specific techniques, to detect subtle retinal changes. Timely ophthalmologic referral is crucial to maximize potential visual results. Patients with macular edema may be candidates for focal laser therapy. Those with proliferative retinopathy may be treated with panretinal laser photocoagulation, which causes regression of neovascularization, or vitrectomy to remove vitreous hemorrhage and repair complicated retinal detachments.
ISSN:0032-5481
DOI:10.1080/00325481.1987.11699826