Diabetic Retinopathy
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related retinal condition that affects the small blood vessels at the back of the eye. Over time, these vessels may become weak, blocked, or leaky, which can affect the retina and the macula, the part responsible for sharp central vision.
Types of Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is commonly grouped into three main types, depending on how diabetes affects the retinal blood vessels and whether abnormal new blood vessels have developed.
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
The earlier stage of diabetic retinopathy. Small retinal blood vessels may weaken, leak fluid, or show tiny areas of bleeding. Vision may still feel normal at this stage, which is why screening is important.
Common symptoms
Diabetic retinopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms appear, they may suggest changes in the macula, bleeding inside the eye, or more advanced retinal disease.
Common symptoms include:
- Blurred central vision
- Difficulty reading or driving
- Distorted vision, where straight lines may look wavy
- Reduced ability to see colours clearly
- Small spots or floaters
- Sudden severe vision loss in advanced cases
- Vision changes affecting one or both eyes
- Sudden symptoms linked with bleeding or retinal detachment
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy develops when diabetes affects the health of retinal blood vessels over time. When these vessels become damaged, the retina may receive less stable blood supply, and fluid or blood may leak into retinal tissue.
Possible causes include:
- Long-standing diabetes
- Poorly controlled blood glucose levels
- Damage to tiny retinal blood vessels
- Leakage or bleeding from retinal vessels
- Reduced blood supply to parts of the retina
- Growth of abnormal new blood vessels in advanced disease
- Macular swelling caused by leaking blood vessels
Risk Factors
Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, but some factors may increase the chance of developing retinal changes or having more severe disease. Managing overall health is an important part of protecting long-term eye health.
Diabetes duration
Blood sugar control
High blood pressure
High cholesterol and other health conditions
Smoking and lifestyle factors
Existing diabetic retinal changes
Risk Factors
How Diabetic Retinopathy is diagnosed
Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed through an eye examination that allows the retina and macula to be checked for diabetes-related changes. Your eye doctor may recommend imaging tests to assess swelling, leakage, blocked blood flow, or abnormal blood vessels. An eye examinationmay include:
Diabetic Eye Screening
Diabetic Eye Screening helps assess for diabetes-related eye changes, even before obvious symptoms appear. It is suitable for individuals with diabetes or vision concerns and can support earlier detection and referral when needed.
Managing & treating Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment depends on the stage of diabetic retinopathy, whether diabetic macular edema is present, and whether there are signs of vision-threatening complications. Some patients need monitoring, while others may need laser treatment, injections, or surgery.
Monitoring and diabetes control
Early Diabetic Retinopathy may be monitored without immediate eye treatment. Blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney health, smoking, diet, and exercise should be managed with the patient’s healthcare team.
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Schedule Your Vision Check
Diabetic Retinopathy can develop quietly before obvious symptoms appear. If you have diabetes, regular diabetic eye screening can help detect retinal changes early and guide suitable care before vision is affected. If you notice blurred vision, floaters, distorted central vision, or sudden changes in sight, an eye assessment should not be delayed.