Inside Out - Diabetic Retinopathy
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
It’s nearly impossible to imagine a world we cannot see, but for people with diabetes, who may be 25 times more likely to develop blindness than those without the condition, that reality is possibly right around the corner. Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive eye disease caused by diabetes. It can damage eyes, take away vision, and shatter our ability to see the beauty of everyday life.
Anatomy & Physiology of a Healthy Eye
The eyes are responsible for our sense of sight, giving us the ability to see in all directions, recognize faces, and visually understand objects in detail. Eyes work like a camera, allowing light to enter the eye, pass the lens, and hit the retina, a film-like lining inside the eye. The retina then converts that light into information for the brain to process what we just saw.
Eye Impacted by Diabetic Retinopathy
In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar of diabetes damages and blocks blood vessels of the retina, ultimately starving it of oxygen and vital nutrients. To bypass this damage, abnormal and weak blood vessels may form in the retina. Because these fragile vessels often leak blood and fluid inside the eye, their presence can lead to partial or complete loss of vision, sometimes with no way of getting it back.
 
Dive Deeper
 
Diabetic retinopathy can wreak havoc on the eyes. Explore how the disease affects the retina and can put people at risk of irreversible vision loss.
Eye Affected by Diabetic Retinopathy
Understanding Disease Management and Treatment
Diabetic retinopathy typically worsens over time, and without proper treatment and lifestyle changes, can lead to loss of vision and blindness.
Managing risk factors
Importance of a balanced diet
Staying active with exercise
Getting eye checkups
Finding the right treatment
Patient Community Encouragement
Hannah
Hannah
My doctor started me on treatment when I started losing my vision. I’m reminded how lucky I am every time I am able to see my kids’ faces.
Maya
Maya
Eye health was the last thing I thought about after being diagnosed with diabetes. Now, I never miss my annual eye checkups.
Anthony
Anthony
One thing I can tell you is ‘keep your numbers in range.’ Your blood sugar. Cholesterol. Blood pressure. Your eyes and body will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, you probably have questions about the condition, its symptoms, and management. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about diabetic retinopathy.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive eye disease caused by high blood sugar of diabetes. If not properly managed, blood sugar can damage blood vessels inside the eye and make them leak blood and fluid, which may affect eyesight and cause loss of vision.
What are symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
Symptoms may not be noticeable until later stages of the disease.
Symptoms can include:
  • Blurriness or cloudy vision
  • Floaters
  • Eye pain
  • Spots in field of vision
  • Difficulty seeing colors
  • Dark areas of vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sudden vision loss
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
Treatment may not be needed in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, although your doctor will closely monitor your eyes for any changes. As the disease progresses, injections, laser treatments, and/or surgery may be needed to help stop or shrink growth of new blood vessels, reduce leakage of blood and fluid inside the eye, and slow down disease progression.
What are complications of diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy complications include severe bleeding inside the eye, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular edema, all of which can lead to complete and irreversible loss of vision. Yearly eye exams can help you and your doctor catch these before they start affecting your vision.