Diabetic Retinopathy

Key points

• Background: microaneurysms (first sign), dot-blot haemorrhages, hard exudates.
• Pre-proliferative: cotton-wool spots, venous beading/loops, IRMA, blot haemorrhages.
• Proliferative: neovascularisation (disc NVD, elsewhere NVE) → vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment — treat with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) ± anti-VEGF.
• Diabetic maculopathy (macular oedema/exudates near fovea): main cause of visual loss in type 2 — anti-VEGF/focal laser.
• Annual retinal screening for all diabetic patients ≥ 12 years.

Decision points in this pathway

• Proliferative (NVD/NVE)?
• Present?

The full step-by-step algorithm, including what to do at each branch, opens in the app for approved members.