A 29 years old man with IDDM for the last 14 years develops sudden vision loss, has non-proliferating diabetic retinopathy, cause is
**Core Concept**
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is an early stage of the disease, where microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and hard exudates occur in the retina. However, sudden vision loss in a patient with long-standing diabetes and NPDR suggests a different underlying cause.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The sudden vision loss in this patient is likely due to **central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)**. CRAO occurs when the central retinal artery, which supplies blood to the retina, becomes occluded, leading to sudden and painless loss of vision. This condition is often caused by emboli from the heart, carotid arteries, or other sources. The patient's history of IDDM and NPDR does not directly contribute to this condition, but rather, the sudden vision loss is an unrelated event.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not provided.
**Option B:** This option is not provided.
**Option C:** This option is not provided.
**Option D:** This option is not provided.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Central retinal artery occlusion is a medical emergency that requires prompt evaluation and treatment to restore blood flow to the retina. The "afferent pupillary defect" can be used to confirm the diagnosis of CRAO, where a light shone into the affected eye causes a dilated pupil.
**Correct Answer:** Not provided