What You Need to Know About Diabetic Retinopathy

Uncontrolled blood sugar weakens retinal blood vessels, causing them to leak fluid or bleed. Small bulges called microaneurysms may form, and swelling can develop in the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp vision.

As damage continues, the retina tries to grow new vessels. These fragile vessels break easily, leading to bleeding inside the eye, scar tissue, and a higher risk of retinal detachment or neovascular glaucoma.

Blurred vision, floaters, or dark spots can be early warnings. Because symptoms may be mild at first, regular dilated eye exams are essential for catching problems before serious damage occurs.

Diabetic retinopathy can advance without pain or obvious symptoms. With proper diabetes control and timely treatment, progression can often be slowed. Key daily actions include:

• Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels
• Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
• Scheduling yearly eye exams, or more often if recommended
• Avoiding smoking to protect blood vessels

Schedule a comprehensive dilated exam at least once a year. See a retina specialist sooner if your eye doctor finds retinopathy, you notice sudden vision changes, or you have moderate to severe disease that needs specialized care.

Most people with diabetes keep useful vision, especially when the condition is detected early and managed carefully. Stable blood sugar, controlled blood pressure, and regular eye exams greatly lower the risk of blindness.

Contact an eye doctor right away if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
• New or worsening floaters
• Flashes of light
• Severe blurriness that does not clear
• A dark curtain or shadow in your vision
• Eye pain or redness

Yes. Long-term diabetes, high A1C levels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pregnancy, smoking, and certain ethnic backgrounds all increase risk.

Early, mild changes may improve with tight diabetes control. Advanced stages are harder to reverse, but treatments like injections, laser therapy, and surgery can slow progression and sometimes restore lost vision.

Maintain healthy blood sugar, monitor blood pressure and cholesterol, exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, avoid smoking, and keep up with annual dilated eye exams.