Maritta Lindström-Karjalainen
Finland
Review Article
Not Only Diabetic Retinopathy - Retinal Vascular Lesions and Signs in Diabetic Patients: Description and Associations
Author(s): Janne P. Kytö, Maritta Lindström-Karjalainen and Paula A. SummanenJanne P. Kytö, Maritta Lindström-Karjalainen and Paula A. Summanen
Retinal vascular changes other than diabetic retinopathy (DRP) namely microaneurysms, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities so called IRMA, microinfarctions, hemorrhages, lipid exudates and edema, as well as venous beading and new vessels (NV) on the disk and/or on the retina and their sequalae pre-retinal and vitreous hemorrhages and fibrovascular proliferations and vitreoretinal tractions are common in diabetic patients. These changes are general or focal arteriolar narrowing or arteriolar or venous dilatation, arteriolar sinusoidal elongation or straightening, venous tortuosity, increased arteriolar wall reflex and arterio-venous crossing signs. They reflect cumulative response to aging, cardiovascular risk factors such as hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia, as well as inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Retinal vascular changes are under the influence of both sy.. View More»
