What is it?
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye), caused by consistently high blood sugar over time. It's one of the most common complications of diabetes and a leading general cause of vision changes in adults — but it's also one where regular monitoring makes a real difference.
Common symptoms
- Often no symptoms in early stages
- Floaters or spots in your vision
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark or empty areas in your vision
- Difficulty with color perception
- Vision loss, in more advanced stages
Causes & risk factors
- Duration of diabetes (longer duration raises risk)
- Consistently high blood sugar levels
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy (can accelerate existing retinopathy)
When to see a doctor
Because early diabetic retinopathy typically causes no symptoms, the general medical guidance is that anyone with diabetes should have a comprehensive, dilated eye exam at least once a year — regardless of how their vision feels day to day. Sudden vision changes should always be evaluated promptly.
What treatment generally involves
Management generally starts with blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control, alongside regular monitoring. For more advanced stages, options an ophthalmologist may discuss include laser treatment, injected medications, or surgery — which approach fits depends on the specific findings during an exam.
Everyday habits that help
- Keep blood sugar levels well managed
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol
- Get a dilated eye exam at least annually if you have diabetes
- Don't wait for symptoms — early stages are often invisible