<prompt> Earliest ophthalmic finding in Diabetes mellitus retinopathyCotton wool spotsMicro-aneurysmFlame shaped haemorrhageHard exudate  <response>: Microaneurysm 260- Khurana 4th 295-PMicroaneurysms in the macular area The earliest detectable lesionsOphthalmic features of Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy Micro aneurysm Earliest detactable lesions Retinal haemorrhages both deep dot and blot haemorrhages and superficial haemorrhages flame-shaped Hard exudates - yellowish- white waxy looking patches Retinal oedema Cotton - wool spots If 8, there is high risk of developing PDR Venous abnormalities - beading, looping and dilatation Intraretinal microvascular abnormalities IRMAHall mark of proliferative diabetic retinopathy PDR is the occurrence of neovascularization Moderate loss of vision in DM is due - Macular oedema Earliest changes of background DR-characteristically effect the small blood vessels. Small dot and blot haemorrhages are common and degeneration of the vessel walls leads to the development of micro aneurysm 