Diabetic retinopathy continues to be one of the leading risk factors and cause of vision loss globally. Control of systemic factors like blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids is crucial for the management of this disease. This calls for timely eye examination of diabetic patients. In the event of Eye Donation Fortnight from 25 August to 8 September, the present article outlines diabetic retinopathy with special emphasis on its clinical features and pathophysiology. Diabetic retinopathy, is a microvascular complication of diabetes that is prevalent in approximately 35% of people with diabetes.
It occurs when prolonged diabetes damages the small blood vessels and nerves in the retina. The damaged blood vessels may leak or the retina may grow weak new vessels. If not treated, this may lead to long term vision loss. This condition forms the foremost cause of vision loss in…
