Via practica 7-8/2008

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY FROM AN OPHTHAMOLOGIC POINT OF VIEW

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is accompanied by severe risk of sight impairment. Development of hyperglycaemia-caused changes depends on many factors. Based on severity, DR can be divided into three clinical and one subclinical (fluorophotometric) stages. Simple nonprolipherative DR usually develops into advanced simple nonprolipherative stage with occurence of retinal areas with impaired perfusion. Subsequently, hypoxic retina elicits neovascularization – the process proceeds into prolipherative stage. Hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and end-products of glycosylation play an important role in ethiopathogenesis of this complication. An optimal glycaemic control is crucial in therapy of this complication. From ophthalmologic point of view, laser coagulation of retina and benfothiamine can be applied. In the case of prolipherative form of DR, pars plana vitrectomy is recommended.

Keywords: diabetic retinopathy, ethiopathogenesis, classification, treatment.