Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that results from a loss of blood flow and oxygen to the retina. The retina is located in the back of the eye. It collects light and turns it into a signal that is interpreted by the brain as vision.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the retina does not receive enough blood because the vessels in the retina are damaged by high blood sugar.
This condition can lead to a range of problems ranging from a minor leakage of blood and plasma in the retina to total blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in American adults, and it usually affects both eyes.
There are two kinds of diabetic retinopathy:
- Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy – This condition can cause mild bleeding, swelling and the formation of fatty deposits in the retina.
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy – This condition occurs when diabetes is not being controlled and extensive blood vessel damage occurs. In this phase of the disease, the retina grows new vessels as a way to gain nourishment. These vessels are abnormal and can lead to more leak age, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and in some cases, blindness.
Risk factors
Diabetic retinopathy occurs in about 40 percent of all Type 1 diabetics and 20 percent of all Type 2 diabetics. The length of time a person has diabetes is a risk factor for the condition. Other risk factors include:
- Pregnancy, especially when the mother is diabetic
- High blood pressure in diabetics
- High cholesterol in diabetics
- Diabetic kidney disease
Keeping your blood sugar at the right level can greatly reduce the chance of developing diabetic retinopathy.