Background diabetic retinopathy imaged with fundus autofluorescence after laser surgery
ICD-10 Diagnosis Codes:
E11.319–Mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, without macular edema
E11.339–Moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, without macular edema
E11.349–Severe
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, without macular edema
Title
Diabetic Retinopathy
Category
Other Retinal Disorders
Description
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease manifestation of
diabetes. The condition is defined as retinal changes associated with long-term diabetes.
DEFINITION
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a complex, multifactorial and heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by endogenous insulin deficiency and/or insulin resistance. The disease manifests itself as a state of chronic hyperglycemia with attendant microvascular and macrovascular complications.
Diabetic Retinopathy
This is the most common and most serious ophthalmic manifestation of diabetes mellitus. It is a microangiopathy affecting the retinal blood vessels, and has features of both microvascular occlusion and leakage.
- Microvascular complication of diabetes that is based on the observation of vascular changes or the presence of abnormal vascular lesions:
- Retinal vasculopathy is a response to hyperglycemia
- Microaneurysms and other vascular leakage (i.e. hard exudates and macular edema)
- Capillary occlusion, neovascularization
Oxidative stress is a main causative factor in diabetic microangiopathy
Release of inflammatory proteins, leukostasis, and programmed destruction of endothelial cells and retinal ganglion cells and axons
Biochemical alteration results in a breakdown in the blood-retinal barrier
NATURAL HISTORY
Structural Damage to the Eye
- Walls of the blood vessels in the retina become fragile and weakened
- Weakened blood vessels have an increase in vascular permeability
- Lipid deposits form in the retinal tissue secondary to chronic edema
- Fluid accumulates in the macula
- Diabetic macular edema develops
Functional Damage to the Eye
- Distorted or blurred vision
- Report seeing spots or floaters in field of view
- Report dark or empty spot in the central vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
The main goal of the diagnostic evaluation in a patient with diabetic retinopathy is to accomplish the following:
- Determine the presence or absence of diabetic retinopathy
- Classify the diabetic retinopathy
- Identify and exclude differential diagnosis
- Determine if the retinopathy is clinically significant and/or vision threatening
- Prescribe a treatment program
Patient History
The severity of the symptoms or signs is varied and depends on the level of control the patient has over their diabetes. Patients can present with the following abnormal symptoms:
- Blurred vision (sudden or gradual)
- Distorted vision (sudden or gradual)
- Difficulty driving at night
- Floaters or dark spots in their field of view
Clinical Appearance of the Retina
The retinal changes associated with diabetic retinopathy include the following:
- Hemorrhages
- Microaneurysms
- Lipid deposits
- Cotton wool spots
- Edema
- Ischemia
- Venous beading
- Intraretinal microvascular abnormalities
- Retinal thickening
- Neovascularization
- Proliferative non-inflammatory degeneration
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Fundus Photography
- To document the progress or lack of progress of diabetic retinopathy
- To document the delivery of medical treatment
- To document the response to treatment
- To help plan a treatment program
- Fundus autofluorescence imaging can be used to detect structural abnormalities and predict functional deficits before the defects appear on standard color fundus photography
- Multi-spectral imaging with the Annidis RHA System can be used to detect structural abnormalities and predict functional deficits before the defects appear on standard color fundus photography
Diabetic Retinopathy after Laser Surgery
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Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging
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Retinal Scanning Laser
- To measure the microscopic anatomy of the retina and vitreoretinal interface
- To measure the effectiveness of therapy
- To help in determining the need for ongoing therapy
- To determine the safety of cessation of therapy
Diabetic Macular Edema
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Visual Field Examination
- Used to assess visual function and determine the size of any associated visual field defects
- Visual field may be affected depending on the size and location of retinal hemorrhaging the extent of the visual field defect depends on size of macular edema
B-Scan Ophthalmic Ultrasound
- A two-dimensional ultrasonic scanning procedure used to produce cross-sectional images of the eye and orbit
- B-scan ophthalmic ultrasound can be used to assess internal structures of the eye when a vitreous hemorrhage prevents proper visualization and examination of the retina
- The test results are used to determine whether the retina is attached or detached
CLASSIFICATION
Diabetic retinopathy is classified into two types:
1. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
Mild Non-Proliferative Retinopathy
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Moderate Non-Proliferative Retinopathy
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Severe Non-Proliferative Retinopathy
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2. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
- Definite neovascularization
- Preretinal hemorrhage
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Fibrotic proliferation and vitreous scaffolding
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES
This would include any eye diseases that produce changes in the retinal vasculature such as hemorrhages, microaneurysms, edema, and exudates.
Hypertensive Retinopathy
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Retinal Venous Obstruction
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Retinal Telangectasia
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Leukemia Ocular manifestations of leukemia can produce the following retinal vessel changes:
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TREATMENT OPTIONS
Palliative Treatment
- Change of diet, weight loss and incorporating exercise
- Managing any other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol can help reduce the risk
Pharmacologic Treatment
- Long term control of blood sugar either through oral medication or injection is important for preservation of vision, especially with no signs of diabetic retinopathy or the early stages of it
Surgical Treatment
Laser Therapy
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Intraocular Surgery
Vitrectomy — This procedure can is used to remove blood from the vitreous and scar tissue tugging on the retina.