Certified Paraoptometric Practice Test

Which eye structure is primarily affected by diabetic retinopathy?

1. Cataract

2. Cornea

3. Iris

4. Retina

The correct answer is: Retina

Diabetic retinopathy primarily affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye that converts light into visual signals sent to the brain. In individuals with diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to swelling, leakage, and even the formation of new, abnormal blood vessels. This condition can result in vision impairment and is a major cause of blindness among adults. The other structures listed—cataract, cornea, and iris—are not primarily affected by diabetic retinopathy. Cataracts relate to clouding of the lens of the eye, the cornea serves as a protective outer layer and assists with focusing light, and the iris controls the size of the pupil and the amount of light entering the eye. While diabetes can have systemic effects that may impact these structures over time, they are not directly impacted by diabetic retinopathy as the retina is.