Master Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy with Picmonic for Physician Assistant

Accumulation of glycated proteins causes the endothelial permeability to increase, which leads to exudation of plasma and proteins.

NPDR progresses slowly over a decade and is mostly asymptomatic.

Retinal microaneurysms are outpouchings at the retinal capillary wall which occur at the inner nuclear layer. Intraretinal microvascular anomalies (IRMA), are sinusoidal dilations in the blood vessels of the retina.

Flame-shaped hemorrhages are due to rupture of aneurysms at the outer plexiform layer. These can be visualized on fundoscopy as small, red, flame-shaped spots on the retina.

Cotton wool spots are white spots in the superficial retina caused by axoplasmic stasis in the retinal nerve fiber layer.

Lipo-proteinaceous deposits present in the outer plexiform layer are called hard exudates. They are a common feature of NPDR.

Macular edema occurs when fluid and protein deposits collect on or under the macula of the eye and cause it to thicken and swell. This is an ominous finding.

Patients with HbA1c level greater than 7.5% are at a higher risk for microvascular complications. Glycemic control can prevent disease progression.

Laser photocoagulation is a procedure that uses a high-powered, pulse laser to reduce retinal angiogenesis.

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and is given as an intravitreal injection.