Tell Me More About Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common eye disease caused by diabetes. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute, the USA, about 45 per cent of adult diabetics have diabetic retinopathy. It is caused by damages to the blood vessels of the retina – the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

Who’s at risk from diabetic retinopathy? Although it can occur to any person suffering from diabetes, the risk is usually higher if the person has unrestrained blood glucose level, has high blood pressure or cholesterol, smokes or is pregnant. Also, the risk factor increases with time.

Since diabetic retinopathy can eventually lead to permanent vision loss or blindness if it is left untreated, it is important for diabetics to have at least one comprehensive dilated eye exam every year. In addition, they need to be wary of the following diabetic retinopathy symptoms:

However, generally, diabetic retinopathy has no symptoms in the initial stages. That’s why regular eye check-ups become even more important. If this severe eye condition is diagnosed early, scatter laser treatment, a type of laser surgery, can restore vision and thus prevent blindness.