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diabetic retinopathy
retinal manifestations of diabetes mellitus, including tiny aneurysms and exudation. There are two major forms, called the nonproliferative and proliferative types. Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is characterized by dilation of the retinal veins and tiny aneurysms that may leak blood cells or plasma, causing internal hemorrhaging or edema in the retina. Edema in the macula (central part of the retina) is the primary cause of vision loss. In proliferative diabetic retinopathy, new blood vessels form near the optic disk, break through the inner membranous lining, and grow on the vitreous chamber and elsewhere in the retina; they sometimes rupture, causing hemorrhage into the vitreous. Fibrous tissue is generated along with the new blood vessels, and it and the new blood vessels become firmly attached to the vitreous body; as the vitreous body moves, the blood vessels and fibrous tissue pull on the retina and may result in detachment of the retina in certain places.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
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