The client, newly diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, asks what caused this disorder.
What is the nurse’s best response?

Oxygen cannot diffuse rapidly across the membrane to tissues in the eye. This is because diabetic retinopathy is a condition that occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. As a result, the retina becomes ischemic (lacking oxygen) and tries to grow new blood vessels that are fragile and leaky.

Choice A is wrong because inability of cells in the eye to reproduce is not a cause of diabetic retinopathy.

The retina has a high metabolic rate and needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to function properly.

Choice B is wrong because increase of aqueous humor in the eye is not a cause of diabetic retinopathy.

Aqueous humor is the clear fluid that fills the front part of the eye, not the retina.

An increase of aqueous humor can cause glaucoma, which is a different eye disorder that affects the optic nerve.

Choice C is wrong because decrease of nerve innervations throughout the eye is not a cause of diabetic retinopathy.

Nerve innervations are the connections between nerves and other tissues, such as muscles or glands.

Diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels, not the nerves, of the retina.

Oxygen cannot diffuse rapidly across the membrane to tissues in the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This damage can reduce the oxygen supply to the retina and lead to vision problems.

Choice A is wrong because cells in the eye can reproduce normally, but they may not function properly due to high blood sugar levels or lack of oxygen.

Choice B is wrong because diabetic retinopathy does not affect the production of aqueous humor, which is the fluid that fills the front part of the eye.

However, diabetes can cause another eye condition called glaucoma, which is caused by increased pressure from too much aqueous humor.

Choice C is wrong because diabetic retinopathy does not affect the nerve innervations throughout the eye.

However, diabetes can cause another eye condition called diabetic neuropathy, which is caused by damage to the nerves that control eye movement and pupil dilation.