Diabetic retinopathy is an underlying condition caused by diabetes that can adversely affect a person’s eyesight and vision. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus caused by damage to the blood vessels in the rear of the eye, which typically contain light-sensitive retinal tissues. At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems, but it can eventually contribute to blindness.
The condition can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. The longer a person has diabetes and the less they control their blood sugar levels, the greater their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, an eye complication. People with diabetes are susceptible to developing diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by extensive damage to the retinal blood vessels caused by high blood sugar levels. Consequently, the blood vessels in the retina may become inflamed and leak, or they may constrict and cease blood flow.
Occasionally, however, there is an abnormal development of new blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to severe changes in the eye and, eventually, the loss of vision. In the early phases of diabetic retinopathy, there are no symptoms, so it is crucial for diabetics to undergo regular eye exams. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness and vision loss in diabetic patients with severe cases, so early detection may be beneficial in protecting your vision.
