What happens to capillaries in the retina leading to Retinopathy?

The correct answer highlights a key issue in the development of retinopathy, particularly in conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. In this context, the capillaries of the retina become permeable, resulting in the leakage of fluid, lipids, and blood into the surrounding retinal tissue. This leakage can lead to swelling, microaneurysms, and the formation of exudates, contributing to visual impairment as the structural integrity of the retina is compromised.

This process is a direct result of damage to the endothelial cells lining the capillaries, which can occur due to prolonged high blood sugar levels. Understanding the physiological changes in capillaries during retinopathy is crucial for recognizing the impact of systemic conditions like diabetes on eye health. The excessive leakage can lead to further complications, such as the proliferation of new, fragile blood vessels, which in turn can exacerbate the condition if they rupture, leading to bleeding within the eye.

Other options present different pathological processes that are not characteristic of the mechanisms involved in retinopathy.