Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Over time, high blood sugar can damage these tiny vessels, leading to vision changes—and in more advanced cases, permanent vision loss.
It is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults, but with regular eye exams and proper diabetes management, vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is often preventable.
How Diabetic Retinopathy Develops:
There are two main stages:
🔹 Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR):
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The early stage.
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Blood vessels in the retina become weak and may leak fluid or tiny amounts of blood.
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Swelling of the retina (macular edema) can cause blurred vision.
🔹 Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR):
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The advanced stage.
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New, abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina and can bleed into the eye or cause scarring, which may lead to retinal detachment and serious vision loss.
Common Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy:
In the early stages, there may be no symptoms at all—which is why regular eye exams are so important. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
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Blurred or fluctuating vision
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Dark spots or floaters
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Poor night vision
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Empty or dark areas in your vision
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Vision loss (especially if bleeding or swelling occurs)
How Diabetic Retinopathy Is Treated:
Treatment depends on the stage and severity of the condition. The goal is to stop or slow the progression of damage to preserve vision.
🔹 Early Stages (NPDR):
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Careful blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control can slow progression.
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Regular monitoring with dilated eye exams is essential.
🔹 Advanced Stages (PDR or Macular Edema):
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Anti-VEGF Injections: Medications like Eylea®, Lucentis®, or Avastin® help reduce swelling and stop abnormal blood vessel growth.
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Steroid Injections: May be used in some cases to reduce retinal inflammation.
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Laser Therapy (Focal or Panretinal Photocoagulation): Targets leaking blood vessels or abnormal growth to reduce the risk of severe vision loss.
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Vitrectomy Surgery: May be needed if there is bleeding (vitreous hemorrhage) or retinal detachment.
Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy:
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Affects more than 7.7 million Americans, and the number is expected to rise with increasing diabetes rates.
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About 1 in 3 people with diabetes will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy.
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The longer you’ve had diabetes—and the less controlled your blood sugar—the higher the risk.
🧠 Key Message:
Diabetic retinopathy often develops without warning signs—but it’s treatable when caught early. If you have diabetes, be sure to schedule a comprehensive, dilated eye exam at least once a year, even if your vision seems fine. Protect your sight—it’s worth it.