Diabetic Retinopathy

Among its many malevolent functions, diabetes damages the small blood vessels in the retina, causing a condition called diabetic retinopathy. This progressive eye disease can lead to vision loss. In fact, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new vision loss in people between the ages of 20 and 74.

The early stage of diabetic retinopathy is called nonproliferative retinopathy. During this stage, the diabetes begins to weaken the blood vessels, causing them to develop small bulges, which can then burst and leak into the retina. The later, more serious stage of diabetic retinopathy is called proliferative retinopathy. During this stage, fragile new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These may break, bleed into the middle of the eye and cloud vision; they may also form scar tissue, which pulls on the retina, leading to retina detachment.

Everyone who has diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. Early symptoms may be subtle, leaving many people unaware that they are afflicted until the disease has done significant damage. Floaters, double vision and difficulty reading or doing close work may indicate onset of diabetic retinopathy.

Laser treatment is very effective in preventing vision loss in people with diabetic retinopathy. There is currently no cure for the disease.