Which of the following best describes the main characteristics of diabetic retinopathy?

• A. Amblyopia
• B. Cataract formation
• C. Capillary leakage, bleeding, new vessel formation, scarring, and vision loss
• D. Drusen above Bruch's membrane

Answer: (C)

Diabetic retinopathy arises from damage to the tiny retinal blood vessels due to long-standing high blood glucose. This damage causes the vessels to leak fluids and lipids, leading to retinal edema and hemorrhages. In response, new, fragile blood vessels grow on the retinal surface (neovascularization), which can bleed and later scar. The scar tissue can contract and distort or detach the retina, contributing to vision loss. So the overall picture includes capillary leakage, bleeding, new vessel formation, scarring, and resulting vision loss.

Amblyopia is not a retinal vascular change here. Cataracts can occur in diabetes but are not the defining feature of retinopathy, and drusen above Bruch’s membrane are characteristic of age-related macular degeneration, not diabetic retinopathy.