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Serious severity
· Ophthalmology
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes-damaged retinal vessels
High blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels. It is the leading cause of blindness in working adults, but annual screening prevents most.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 3 long-standing diabetics
- Typical age
- Diabetics 5+ years
- Outlook
- Manageable
- System
- Vision
Reviewed by a verified Ophthalmology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Long-standing diabetes
- Poor sugar control
- Hypertension
- Pregnancy in diabetics
- Smoking
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Often silent until late
- Floaters
- Blurred fluctuating vision
- Dark or empty central areas
- Sudden vision loss in vitreous hemorrhage
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Tight blood sugar control
- Annual dilated retinal exam
- Laser photocoagulation
- Anti-VEGF injections
- Vitrectomy in advanced
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Annual eye check from diagnosis
- HbA1c under 7%
- BP under 130/80
- Lipid control
- Stop smoking
Do’s
- Annual dilated eye exam
- Tight sugar and BP control
- Quit smoking
- Report new floaters immediately
Don’ts
- Skip the annual retinal exam
- Stop checking sugar regularly
- Ignore sudden floaters
- Smoke as a diabetic
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.