Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). It can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated. However, it usually takes several years for Diabetic Retinopathy to reach a stage where it could threaten your sight.To minimize the risk of this happening, people with diabetes should:

Ensure they control their Blood Sugar Levels, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Attend diabetic eye screening appointments – annual screening is offered to all people with diabetes aged 12 and over to pick up and treat any problems early on

The Retina needs a constant supply of blood, which it receives through a network of tiny Blood Vessels. Over time, a persistently high blood sugar level can damage these Blood Vessels in 3 main stages:

Background Retinopathy – tiny bulges develop in the Blood Vessels, which may bleed slightly but do not usually affect your vision
Pre-Proliferative Retinopathy – more severe and widespread changes affect the Blood Vessels, including more significant bleeding into the eye
Proliferative Retinopathy – scar tissue and new blood vessels, which are weak and bleed easily, develop on the retina; this can result in some loss of vision

Its symptoms are not that noticeable in the early stage as it does not tend to have any obvious symptoms until it’s more advanced. However if you experience any of these problems mentioned below, contact our doctor.

Gradually worsening vision
Sudden vision loss
Shapes floating in your field of Vision (floaters)
Blurred or Patchy Vision
Eye Pain or Redness
Difficulty seeing in the dark

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have Diabetic Retinopathy, but it’s important to get them checked out. Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy is only necessary if screening detects significant problems that mean your vision is at risk. If the condition has not reached this stage, the above advice on managing your diabetes is recommended.