What are the potential complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

Prepare for the Medical Surgical Nursing Exam with expertly crafted questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your knowledge and confidence to ace the exam!

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes characterized by the growth of new blood vessels on the retina, which can lead to significant vision problems. The potential complications associated with this condition include vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment, making this the correct response.

Vitreous hemorrhage occurs when the abnormal new blood vessels break and bleed into the vitreous gel of the eye. This can lead to sudden vision changes, including floating spots or a sudden decrease in vision. Retinal detachment can occur when the new blood vessels pull on the retina, causing it to separate from the underlying tissue. This is a surgical emergency and can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

While other options mention various eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma, these are not direct complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Similarly, macular degeneration and optic neuropathy are separate conditions that do not arise specifically from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, nor do corneal edema and lens opacification relate directly. Therefore, the complications most closely associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy are indeed vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy