Diabetic Eye Disease

What is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions caused by diabetes that can damage the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. High blood sugar levels can weaken and damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak fluid or bleed. Diabetes can also increase the risk of developing glaucoma and other vision-threatening complications.

One of the most common forms of diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy (DR).

What are the symptoms?

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy often has no noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, you may experience:

Blurred or fluctuating vision
Floaters or dark spots in your vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Loss of central or peripheral vision
Sudden vision loss in severe cases

Because early diabetic retinopathy is often symptom-free, regular diabetic eye screening is essential for detecting the disease before permanent vision loss occurs.

How is Diabetic Retinopathy treated?

The most effective way to prevent diabetic retinopathy is through good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, together with regular eye examinations. Better diabetes control reduces the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and slows its progression.

If diabetic retinopathy progresses, treatment options may include:

Retinal laser treatment to reduce leakage from abnormal blood vessels and prevent further vision loss.
Intravitreal (eye) injections of medication to reduce retinal swelling and treat abnormal blood vessel growth.
Vitrectomy surgery if severe bleeding or tractional retinal detachment develops.
Treatment for secondary glaucoma, which may involve eye drops, laser treatment, or surgery to lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve.

Early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. If you have diabetes, regular eye examinations are an important part of protecting your sight.