Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by diabetes and affects the retina, which is the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye. The retina is responsible for sending visual images to the brain. Having too much sugar in your blood can damage your retina over time.
Initially Diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems, which progresses to blindness when left untreated. It can also lead to diabetic macular edema, a condition where fluid builds up in the macula (the central part of the retina), causing further vision problems.
The condition can develop in people with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, with your blood sugar levels uncontrolled, the higher your risk of developing this condition. You can prevent or delay vision loss by managing your diabetes, by staying physically active, eating a healthy diet and taking your medication as prescribed.
Early stages of Diabetes Retinopathy typically do not have symptoms. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy usually has no noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, you may experience blurred or fluctuating vision, especially if diabetic macular edema develops.
Other symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy you may experience include:
Anyone with diabetes has a risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy. Other factors that may increase your risk of developing the condition include:
Diabetic Retinopathy can lead to serious complications such as:
Eye examination
Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed through a dilated eye exam, during which an ophthalmologist uses special lenses to examine the retina for signs of damage. Additional imaging tests, such as fluorescein angiography or optical coherence tomography (OCT), may be used to detect fluid leakage, blood vessel abnormalities, or retinal swelling.
