Diabetic retinopathy is a serious diabetes complication that damages the blood vessels in the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It can develop in anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

At first, it may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. However, if left unmanaged, it can eventually lead to permanent blindness. The risk increases the longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is.

How It Progresses

• Early Stage (Nonproliferative): Tiny blood vessels in the retina leak fluid or blood. This can cause the retina to swell, sometimes blurring your vision.

• Advanced Stage (Proliferative): The old blood vessels close off, forcing the eye to grow new, abnormal blood vessels. These fragile new vessels can leak into the center of the eye, severely blocking vision or causing scarring.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

• Blurry, wavy, or fluctuating vision.

• Dark spots, strings, or "floaters" drifting in your vision.

• Dark or empty areas in your field of vision.

• Difficulty seeing colors.

Prevention & Protection

The good news is that vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is largely preventable. You can protect your sight by keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control. Most importantly, schedule a dilated eye exam at least once a year—early detection is the best way to save your sight.