Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetes complication that affects the small blood vessels of the retina. It remains one of the leading causes of vision loss despite the availability of effective treatment.

In the early stages, known as non-proliferative DR, the blood vessels of the retina swell and leak fluid. This stage is not usually associated with visual impairment and there are no symptoms. As the disease progresses abnormal blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina and, without treatment, these can bleed causing cloudy vision or blindness. Abnormal fibrous tissue may also develop, leading to retinal detachment and severe vision loss. Blurred central vision may occur when the macula swells from leaking fluid (called macular oedema) or due to macular ischarmia from poor perfusion consequent upon perifoveal capillary loss.

Thirty years ago blindness as a result of lifetime diabetes was not uncommon. Fortunately there have been major advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which in most cases should prevent any serious loss of vision.