Diabetic Retinopathy Vision

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects people with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye), leading to vision problems and, if untreated, even blindness.

Advanced screening and specialist management are essential for identifying diabetic retinopathy early and implementing strategies to protect and preserve long-term vision.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

• Prolonged high blood sugar
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Smoking and lifestyle factors
• Duration of diabetes (the longer you have diabetes, the higher your risk)

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Protecting Your Vision

You can reduce your risk by:

• Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
• Having regular eye exams (at least once a year if you have diabetes)
• Avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle

For individuals with diabetes, it is vital not to wait for symptoms to appear before seeking an assessment. Prioritising regular specialist eye screenings is a critical step, as early detection and clinical expertise are the most effective ways to protect and preserve long-term vision.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

In the early stages, you may not notice symptoms. That’s why regular eye checks are crucial if you have diabetes.
As the condition progresses, symptoms can include:

• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Dark spots or floaters in your sight
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sudden vision loss

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

1. Mild Non-Proliferative Retinopathy – tiny swelling in retinal blood vessels.
2. Moderate Non-Proliferative Retinopathy – blood vessels become blocked.
3. Severe Non-Proliferative Retinopathy – many vessels are blocked, depriving parts of the retina of blood supply.
4. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy – new, fragile blood vessels grow but can leak and cause vision loss.