Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of visual impairment amongst adults of working age. However, diabetes does not automatically mean sight loss and the great majority of diabetics never experience any eye problems at all.
Diabetic retinopathy is graded according to the severity.

Background diabetic retinopathy

This condition is very common in people who have had diabetes for a long time. Vision will tend to be normal and there is no threat to sight loss.

Maculopathy

As the condition worsens, the macula may become affected and central vision will deteriorate. The amount of central vision that is lost varies from person to person. However, peripheral vision will be preserved.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy

This is found more often in people who have been insulin dependent for many years. New blood vessels form to replace damaged ones; unfortunately they are weak and can bleed easily, causing scar tissue to form in the eye. This condition often results in blurred or patchy vision and can lead to total blindness if the retina becomes too damaged.

Research has shown that good control of diabetes significantly reduces sight threatening complications.

For further advice about diabetes, contact Diabetes UK .