Retinopathy in diabetes involves damage to what structure?

Retinopathy in diabetes involves damage to what structure?

• A. Blood vessels in the retina.
• B. The optic nerve.
• C. The lens.
• D. The cornea.

Answer: (A)

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retinal blood vessels caused by long-standing high blood glucose. Chronic hyperglycemia injures the tiny vessels in the retina, leading to pericyte loss, thickened capillary walls, and leakage. This produces microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and edema, and can progress to new, fragile vessels that threaten vision. The optic nerve, lens, and cornea aren’t the primary structures affected in retinopathy—the retina’s vasculature is the key target.

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retinal blood vessels caused by long-standing high blood glucose. Chronic hyperglycemia injures the tiny vessels in the retina, leading to pericyte loss, thickened capillary walls, and leakage. This produces microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and edema, and can progress to new, fragile vessels that threaten vision. The optic nerve, lens, and cornea aren’t the primary structures affected in retinopathy—the retina’s vasculature is the key target.