What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic eye disease is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. In the early stages, when it is most easily treated, diabetic eye disease has no obvious symptoms. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy: nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) which causes swelling in the retina from leaking blood vessels, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) which occurs when abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.
Symptoms
Many people with diabetes have mild NPDR that does not affect their vision. You should have your eyes checked promptly if you have vsion changes that:
- Affect only one eye
- Last more than a few days
- Are not associated with changes in blood sugar
- Other symptoms may include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Dark floaters
Treatment Options
Maintaining control of blood-sugar levels and early detection of diabetic retinopathy are the best protections against vision loss. Once diagnosed, treatment options include:
- Laser surgery for macular edema, PDR, and neovascular glaucoma
- Steroid injections
For more information download a brochure about Diabetic Retinopathy. (126kb PDF)