A nurse is teaching a diabetic education class when one of the patients asks, "What can I do to prevent going blind due to my diabetes?" What is the best response by the nurse?
1. "The risk of developing blindness is related to how long you've had diabetes, and how well your blood sugar and hypertension are controlled."
2. "Blindness from diabetes is due to the small blood vessels in the eye becoming hardened and clogged and not being able to transport oxygen and nutrients to the retina."
3. "This is only a problem with type 2 diabetes, so you won't have this problem."
4. "Laser photocoagulation surgery will treat any problems that develop and stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy."
Correct Answer: 1
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy is related to the duration of the diabetes and the degree of glycemic control. Hypertension is also a risk factor. Option 2 is correct as the retinal capillaries become sclerotic and lose their ability to transport sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the retina, but this statement does not answer the patient's question. Diabetic retinopathy is seen in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Laser photocoagulation is used to treat both forms of diabetic retinopathy; however, it does not cure the disease.
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