What is retinal Microaneurysm?
Retinal microaneurysms are local disturbances in the diameter of the blood vessels of the retina. Endothelial dysfunction in these microaneurysms can lead to leakage and retinal edema resulting in a progressive loss of vision.
What do retinal Microaneurysms look like?
Medical Retina The retinal capillary microaneurysm is usually the first visible sign of diabetic retinopathy. Microaneurysms, identified clinically by ophthalmoscopy as deep-red dots varying from 15 μm to 60 μm in diameter, are most common in the posterior pole.
How to detect microaneurysm?
Detection of DR is done by examination of fundus and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images [1, 2]. Microaneurysms (MA) is usually the first symptom of DR that causes blood leakage to the retina. This lesion usually appears as small red circular spots with a diameter of fewer than 125 micrometers [3].
What is a Microaneurysm?
Microaneurysms are tiny outpouchings of blood that protrude from an artery or vein. When they occur in the eye, they are known as retinal microaneurysms. If these protrusions open, they leak blood into the tissues of the retina.
What causes a Microaneurysm?
Any form of vascular disease or high blood pressure may contribute to a retinal microaneurysm, however the most common cause is diabetes mellitus.
How is Microaneurysm treated?
Treatments like a change in diet and exercise can help manage blood sugar levels and keep blood vessels in the eye from being damaged. Additionally, once blood vessels in the eye start leaking, laser surgery can help cauterize them and stop or slow the leaking.
What does a Microaneurysm look like?
Microaneurysms are an eye condition that usually manifests in the form of tiny red dots within the eye, usually surrounded by yellow rings that are the result of vascular leakage. Microaneurysms have no other signs or symptoms and do not affect vision in any way.
What are Irma?
Intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA) are abnormalities of the blood vessels that supply the retina of the eye, a sign of diabetic retinopathy. Since IRMA blood vessels are patent, unlike neovascular vessels, they do not leak, and therefore exhibit hyperfluorescence on fluorescein angiography.
Do Microaneurysms heal?
By tightening blood glucose control in your diabetes management, as well as treating any associated other health disorders such as high blood pressure, most microaneurysms are reversible.