Jim R. Oramas
Retinal Blood Vessels Gone Wild, 2006

Fundus Photograph; Topcon TRC 50EX retinal camera with OIS digital capture

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, United States

TThis frame of a fluorescein angiogram shows an advanced case of diabetic retinopathy, with extensive neo-vascularization, areas of non-perfusion and a fibrous vascular tissue that extends along the superior arcade into the vitreous. Diabetic retinopathy is a pathologic condition, characterized by a series of progressive retinal changes caused by long standing diabetes. The disease is composed of two stages known as early (non-proliferative) or advanced (proliferative) retinopathy. In the early stages of retinopathy, common findings include micro-aneurysms, hemorrhages, exudates, and dilation of retinal veins. In the advanced stages of proliferative retinopathy as seen on this photo, the disease moves into a more aggressive state, adding the growth of new blood vessels due to lack of oxygen to the eye. This process is known as neo-vascularization. Also seen in advanced stages of proliferative retinopathy is the formation of connecting scar tissue, which is referred to as fibrous vascular tissue. Along with the above-mentioned conditions, all of these states can cause extremely poor vision.

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