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What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that may occur in people who have diabetes.  Diabetes damages the small blood vessels throughout the body, including the retina.  Diabetic retinopathy often affects both eyes and occurs when the small blood vessels of the retina leak. This causes the retinal tissue to swell, resulting in blurry vision.  The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy.  If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy may lead to permanent vision loss.

Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy
There are several risk factors for diabetic retinopathy including:
  • Diabetes:  The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely he or she is to develop diabetic retinopathy, especially if the diabetes is poorly controlled.
  • Race: Hispanics and African Americans are at increased risk for developing diabetic retinopathy.
  • Medical conditions: People with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol are at greater risk for developing diabetic retinopathy.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnant women face a higher risk for developing diabetes and diabetic retinopathy due to hormonal changes.  If a woman develops gestational diabetes, she has a higher risk of developing diabetes as she ages.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:
  • Spots or floaters in vision
  • Blurry vision
  • Dark or empty spot in the center of your vision
  • Difficulty seeing at night

Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy 
The HbA1c blood test gives an indication of the level and stability of your blood sugar. The higher the HbA1c the higher the risk for eye damage and other systemic disease. The changes in the eye reflect changes in other organs. The treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage and severity of the disease. The goal of any treatment is to slow or stop the progression of the disease.  In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, regular monitoring may be the only treatment needed. Following your doctor's advice for diet and exercise and controlling blood sugar levels can help control the progression of the disease.

If the disease advances, the abnormal blood vessels can leak blood and fluid into the retina, leading to macular edema which affects your central vision.  You may be referred to an ophthalmologist specializing in vitreoretinal diseases who may recommend laser treatment to stop the blood vessel leakage.  [AOA]