Case 02

A 55-year-old woman with a 10-year history of moderately controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus presents with gradually worsening blurred vision, especially while reading and doing near work, over the past 6 months. There is no history of sudden vision loss, floaters, flashes, or visual field defects. She denies eye pain, redness, or photophobia. She attends the clinic irregularly but has not experienced any acute visual symptoms.

On examination

visual acuity is mildly reduced in both eyes. Fundoscopic examination shows multiple microaneurysms, dot and blot haemorrhages, and hard exudates in the posterior pole. There are no signs of neovascularization, vitreous haemorrhage, or tractional retinal detachment. Mild retinal thickening near the macula is noted, suggesting early edema. These findings are consistent with Non proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and help exclude Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, where new vessel formation would be present.