Describe The Pathophysiology, Presentation, Assessment (Research Paper Sample)

Diabetic Retinopathy
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In the modern global community, lifestyle diseases and conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions have prevailed, causing significant morbidity and mortality. These conditions achieve high fatality rates since they cause extreme tissue and organ damage in the PD’s body. Diabetic retinopathy is a sight threatening condition. This complication is mostly associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Diabetes is a major cause of cardiovascular conditions, kidney diseases and limb amputations. According to the American Optometric Association (2015), increased blood sugar and blood pressure levels in DM patients’ causes massive damage on the light sensitive part of the eye. This can lead to partial or complete blindness on the PD.
Pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most prevalent micro-vascular condition and complication of DM around the globe. This condition is mainly caused by interference of fasting glucose, as well as hemoglobin A1C in the retinal blood capillaries. There are four major mechanisms within which DM utilizes in the development and prevalence of Diabetic retinopathy. These include; manifestation of microaneurysms, high pressure causing increased permeability of blood vessels, retinal capillaries occlusion and the proliferation of neovascular and fibrous tissue (NHS, 2016). In this regard, the process of Diabetic retinopathy development can be described as proliferative of non-proliferative.
Physical assessment and examination
It is difficult to diagnose Diabetic retinopathy in the early stages of DM since PDs are generally asymptomatic. However, keen assessment of the eyes in reference to proliferative and non proliferative development characteristics may lead to early diagnosis before major damage on the retina is achieved (Guariguata, Nolan, & Beagley, 2013). This can be achieved through examination of the eyes for microaneurysms. In advances levels of DM, PDs may stat experiencing mild blurred visions and distortions. Diagnosis of Diabetic retinopathy can be achieved based on the mechanism of disease development.
Non proliferative Diabetic retinopathy
This condition can be diagnosed through assessment and examination for the following characteristics
Presence of microaneurysms: National Health Society (2016), describes microaneurysms as tiny lesions in the retina. These lesions can be examined and detected using diverse clinical and ophthalmologic procedures.
presence of hemorrhage blotting and dots in the retina
Clinical opticians should examine PDs eyes for any vascular abnormalities. Beading, looping and venous segmentation in the eyes indicate onset of diabetic retinopathy.
Critical examination for hard exudates in the inner eye. In most instances, they are located between the inner plexiform and nuclear layers.
Presence of spots on a cotton wool swab of the eye indicate capillary occlusions hence signs of diabetic retinopathy.
Retinal edema: this refers to the accumulation of fluid in the retina; between the outer plexiform and the inner nuclear layer.
Critical examination of the eye for any intraretinal microvascular abnormalities. This includes examination for dilated capillaries.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
This is a severe stage of diabetic retinopathy. In most instances, this stage is irreversible hence PDs survive on management measures and drugs. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy PDs are symptomatic and are characterized by neovascularization of the eye/s. assessment, examination and diagnosis are made in reference to the characteristic nature of neovascularization. Diagnosis is made based on the following neovascularization characteristics.
New vessel at Disc (NVD) characteristic: defined by the proliferation of new capillaries at the optic nerve head
New Vessel Elsewhere (NVE) characteristics: characterized by the proliferation of new capillaries and vessels into major vascular tissues. ...