Retinopathy

Retinopathy
Classification and external resources
Specialty	ophthalmology
ICD-10	H35-H35.2
ICD-9-CM	362.0-362.2
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Retinopathy is persistent or acute damage to the retina of the eye. Ongoing inflammation and vascular remodeling may occur over periods of time where the patient is not fully aware of the extent of the disease. Frequently, retinopathy is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease as seen in diabetes or hypertension.Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged people.

Causes of retinopathy include but are not limited to:

Many types of retinopathy are proliferative, most often resulting from neovascularization or blood vessel overgrowth. Angiogenesis is the hallmark precursor that may result in blindness or severe vision loss, particularly if the macula becomes affected.

Retinopathy may more rarely be due to ciliopathic genetic disorders, such as Alström syndrome or Bardet–Biedl syndrome.

Retinopathy is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist or an Optometrist during eye examination. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease.

Telemedicine programs are available that allow primary care clinics to take images using specially designed retinal imaging equipment which can then be shared electronically with specialists at other locations for review. In 2009, Community Health Center, Inc. implemented a telemedicine retinal screening program for low-income patients with diabetes as part of those patients annual visits at the Federally Qualified Health Center.

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