Managing diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness. The disease is more likely in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and the incidence is higher in diabetes of long duration. In background diabetic retinopathy, the vascular changes are confined to the retina; in proliferative retinopathy, vessels grow onto the posterior vitreous surface or wedge between the retina and the vitreous. Diagnostic accuracy is more likely with an ophthalmologic consultation. A team approach between the ophthalmologist and the primary care physician is recommended for effective overall management of these patients.
Zakov
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Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011320:Primary Health Care