Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious eye condition that affects individuals with diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Over time, these damaged blood vessels can lead to vision problems, including blindness if left untreated. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss in adults.
The longer you have diabetes, the higher the risk of developing this condition, but with proper management and early treatment, vision loss can be prevented.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, you may experience:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or “floaters” in your vision
- Poor night vision
- Difficulty distinguishing colors
- Sudden loss of vision (in severe cases)
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Mild Non-Proliferative Retinopathy: In this early stage, small blood vessels in the retina begin to swell and leak fluid or blood, but vision may not be noticeably affected.
- Moderate to Severe Non-Proliferative Retinopathy: As the condition progresses, more blood vessels become blocked, restricting the retina’s blood supply and leading to more significant leakage.
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): In the advanced stage, new, abnormal blood vessels form on the surface of the retina. These fragile vessels can bleed into the eye, causing vision loss or retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness.
