What is Diabetic Retinopathy (Diabetic Eye Disease)?

Diabetic Retinopathy (Diabetic Eye Disease)

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, causing poor or blurred vision. It can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated.

In the early stages of the disorder there are often no obvious symptoms. But these become more noticeable as diabetic retinopathy becomes more advanced. It can be treated and managed.

Diabetic retinopathy damages the retina— the part of your eye that converts light into the electrical signals which are turned into images by your brain. A high blood sugar level can damage the blood vessels in your retina, causing it to send blurred images to your brain. This can result in distorted vision and blindness.

What are the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

  • Often no symptoms to begin with
  • Late stage symptoms include:

    Worsening vision

    Eye pain

    Blurred vision

What are the causes of Diabetic Retinopathy?

  • Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

How do you treat Diabetic Retinopathy?

  • Laser Photocoagulation Treatment (Different to the Laser Vision Correction offered by Optical Express)
  • Injections of medication
  • Surgery to remove blood or scar tissue from your eyes