Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related eye condition that damages the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It develops gradually and is a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in adults. The condition can affect people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, especially those with long-standing or poorly controlled blood sugar levels.

Symptoms

In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy may cause no noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:

• Blurred or fluctuating vision

• Dark spots or floaters in vision

• Difficulty seeing at night

• Impaired color vision

• Sudden vision loss in advanced cases

• Empty or dark areas in the field of vision

Causes

Diabetic retinopathy occurs due to prolonged damage to retinal blood vessels:

• Chronic high blood sugar levels

• Weakening and leakage of retinal blood vessels

• Reduced oxygen supply to retinal tissue

• Formation of abnormal new blood vessels

• Inflammation and retinal swelling

Risk Factors

Several factors increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy:

• Long duration of diabetes

• Poor blood sugar control

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol levels

• Pregnancy

• Smoking

• Kidney disease associated with diabetes

Complications

If untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to serious eye problems:

• Vision loss or blindness

• Diabetic macular edema

• Retinal detachment

• Glaucoma

• Vitreous hemorrhage

• Permanent retinal damage

Prevention

Preventive measures focus on protecting vision and slowing disease progression:

• Maintaining strict blood sugar control

• Regular comprehensive eye examinations

• Managing blood pressure and cholesterol

• Avoiding smoking

• Seeking prompt treatment for vision changes

• Following recommended diabetes care plans