What are the two types of retinopathy that can be seen in diabetes?

• A. Maculopathy and neuropathy
• B. Non-proliferative and proliferative
• C. Hypertensive retinopathy and ischemic
• D. Background retinopathy and exudative

Answer: (B)

Diabetic retinopathy is categorized by how the retinal vessels respond to chronic hyperglycemia. The two main forms are non-proliferative and proliferative. In the non-proliferative stage, the small vessels leak and bleed, leading to findings like microaneurysms, dot-and-blot hemorrhages, hard exudates, and cotton-wool spots; vision is often preserved, though macular edema can impair it. If the condition progresses, retinal ischemia stimulates the growth of new, fragile blood vessels on the retina and optic disc in the proliferative stage. These neovascular vessels can bleed into the vitreous or cause tractional retinal detachment, posing a high risk of significant vision loss. The other options refer to different eye problems (maculopathy as a feature, neuropathy as nerve damage, hypertensive retinopathy from high blood pressure, exudative changes) rather than the two standard diabetes-related retinopathy stages.