Endocrine and Reproductive Disorders · USMLE Step 1

A patient with diabetes presents with retinopathy. What is the primary mechanism?

  1. Microaneurysms from vessel glycation
  2. Increased intraocular pressure
  3. Autoimmune destruction of retinal cells
  4. Chronic vitamin A deficiency
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Correct answer: Microaneurysms from vessel glycation

Chronic hyperglycemia causes nonenzymatic glycation of basement membranes, leading to microaneurysms and retinal ischemia. This results in diabetic retinopathy.

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