Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes in which the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the retina of the eye are damaged due to long-term high levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia). The retina is a light-sensitive membrane that lines the back of the eye and a healthy retina is vital to normal vision.
Diabetic retinopathy generally develops slowly over a period of months as ongoing high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels of the retina. This leads to leaking or bleeding of the blood vessels or the growth of abnormal blood vessels. These processes can prevent light from reaching the retina. This leads to the typical symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, such as changes in vision, including blurred vision. There also may be eye pain in diabetic retinopathy. However, in early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there may be no noticeable symptoms.
In later stages of diabetic neuropathy, serious complications can result, including retinal detachment and blindness. For more details about complications and symptoms, see symptoms of diabetic retinopathy.
Diagnosing diabetic retinopathy begins with taking a thorough personal and family medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination, including an extensive eye examination. Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is generally made by an eye specialist called an ophthalmologist.
An eye examination includes testing visual acuity or sharpness of vision, checking the sharpness of peripheral vision, and testing the pressure inside the eye. The outer eye is examined using an instrument called a slit lamp, and the inner eye is examined using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. During the exam with an ophthalmoscope, the pupils of the eye are dilated (opened up) with a drop of medication so that the ophthalmologist can best see any changes in the retina that are signs of diabetic retinopathy such as leaking blood vessels, or abnormal new blood vessels.
A diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and its cause can be delayed or missed because symptoms develop gradually. In addition, symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are similar to symptoms of other eye diseases and conditions. For information about disease and conditions that can mimic retinopathy, refer to misdiagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.
Prevention of diabetic retinopathy is very important for people with diabetes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely a person will develop diabetic retinopathy. Good control of blood sugar levels minimizes the risks of developing diabetic retinopathy and can slow progression of the condition. For more information on prevention and treatment, refer to treatment of diabetic retinopathy. ...more »
Diabetic Retinopathy: Retinal eye problems are the more serious eye problem for diabetics. In fact, retinopathy is so common in diabetics that it has its own name: either "diabetic retinopathy" or the worst form "proliferative diabetic retinopathy" (PDR). These are a long-term side effect of diabetes, particularly from long-term high blood sugars, but can also be present at diagnosis, especially for Type 2 diabetes. Retinopathy risks increase the longer you have had diabetes, and are thus uncommon in temporary conditions like gestational diabetes. ...more »
People with diabetic retinopathy can experience a variety of symptoms. Diabetic retinopathy generally develops slowly over a period of months as ongoing high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels of the retina. In early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there may be no noticeable symptoms. However, changes in the retina and the blood vessels of the retina may be seen during an eye ...more symptoms »
The first step in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy is prevention. The damage done to the blood vessels of the retinas of the eyes can be permanent, so it is vital that people with diabetes prevent its occurrence.
Prevention, as well as treatment, includes a consistently following a plan to treat diabetes and normalize blood sugar levels as much as possible ...more treatments »
A diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and its underlying cause of diabetes may be delayed or missed because diabetic retinopathy generally develops gradually. In early stages, there may be no symptoms, and people may be unaware of having diabetes or diabetic retinopathy until complications, such as blurred vision, develop. In addition, some ...more misdiagnosis »
See full list of 6 symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
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Prognosis for Diabetic Retinopathy: At least 90% of these new cases could be reduced if there was proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring of the eye.
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The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
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See full list of 69 Clinical Trials for Diabetic Retinopathy
Prevention information for Diabetic Retinopathy has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy.
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This disorder can result from diabetes. It happens when small blood vessels stop feeding the retina properly. In the early stages, the blood vessels may leak fluid, which distorts sight. In the later stages, new vessels may grow and send blood into the center of the eye, causing serious vision loss. In most cases, laser treatment can prevent blindness. It is very important that people with diabetes have an eye exam through dilated pupils every year. (Source: excerpt from Aging and Your Eyes -- Age Page -- Health Information: NIA)
Retinal changes occurring in diabetes mellitus, marked by microaneurysms, exudates, and hemorrhages, and sometimes by neovascularization. - (Source - Diseases Database)
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