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Diabetic Retinopathy

What is diabetic retinopathy, and how does it cause vision loss?

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in people diagnosed with diabetes. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Vision loss occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The damaged blood vessels can cause blurred vision and even blindness.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy

The early stages of diabetic retinopathy often produce no noticeable symptoms, though some people may experience occasional vision changes such as difficulty reading or seeing distant objects. As the condition progresses, damaged blood vessels in the retina may begin to leak into the vitreous, the gel-like fluid inside the eye. When this happens, dark, floating spots or streaks resembling cobwebs might appear. Seeking prompt treatment is crucial. Without treatment, scarring can develop at the back of the eye, and bleeding may recur or worsen, potentially leading to vision loss.

Available Treatment

To prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy, it’s important to manage diabetes by controlling levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol. Intensive control of diabetes with self-monitoring of blood sugar levels and multiple daily insulin injections or an insulin pump can slow the development of diabetic retinopathy and other complications from diabetes. Advanced retinopathy can be treated with laser surgery, causing the abnormal blood vessels to shrink. The surgery can result in some loss of side vision while preserving central vision from deterioration and may slightly reduce color and night vision. When performed promptly, laser photocoagulation helps reduce the risk of severe vision loss by up to 90 percent.

Recommended care

Recommended vision care for those diagnosed with diabetes and prenatal diabetes includes:

  • An annual comprehensive dilated eye evaluation
  • If abnormalities are detected, more frequent follow-up is recommended
  • Routine eye exam during pregnancy, early in the first trimester, and then every 1 to 3 months during pregnancy is recommended because diabetic retinopathy can progress much more rapidly during pregnancy.

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