Nonproliferative and proliferative retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy falls into two main classes: non proliferative and proliferative. The word "proliferative" refers to whether or not there is neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel growth) in the retina. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, previously called background...
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2019
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/72589/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/72589/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/72589/1/2019%20NADI%20Scientific%20Prog%201.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/72589/18/11032019%20NADI%202019%20Non%20Proliferative%20and%20Proliferative%20Diabetic%20Retinopathy%20%281%29.pdf |
| Summary: | Diabetic retinopathy falls into two main classes: non proliferative and proliferative. The word
"proliferative" refers to whether or not there is neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel
growth) in the retina.
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, previously called background retinopathy, is the
earliest stage of diabetic eye disease. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is initially
characterised by microaneurysms (microscopic blood-filled bulges in the artery walls) which
may burst and leak into the retina. Tiny spots or dots of blood may accumulate in the retina, but
they usually do not produce noticeable symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As the
disease progresses, hard exudates (accumulations of fluid that has leaked from blood vessels),
abnormalities in the growth of microscopic blood vessels in the retina, and bleeding from the
veins that feed the retina may occur. Non-proliferative disease progresses from mild to
moderate to severe.
While non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is not itself a sight-threatening condition, it can
trigger macular oedema or macular ischaemia, which are other forms of diabetic retinopathy
that may cause rapid vision loss at any stage of non-proliferative disease. In addition, the
vascular changes that occur in non-proliferative retinopathy lead to retinal ischaemia (lack of
blood flow to the retina) and trigger progression to sight-threatening proliferative disease. As
the severity of non-proliferative retinopathy increases, the risk of developing sight-threatening
proliferative diabetic retinopathy also increases.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is characterised by neovascularisation – that is, the growth
of abnormal new blood vessels in the retina. The vessels are weak and may burst and bleed
into the retina or vitreous fluid (fluid surrounding the retina), causing vision loss.
References:
1. American Academy of Ophthalmology Retina-Vitreous Panel. Preferred Practice
Pattern® Guidelines. Diabetic Retinopathy. San Francisco, CA: American Academy of
Ophthalmology; 2014. Available at: www.aao.org/ppp .
2. https://www.myvmc.com/diseases/diabetic-eye-disease-non-proliferative-diabetic-
retinopathy/
3. https://www.aao.org/topic-detail/diabetic-retinopathy-europe |
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