Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStagesSymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderNext in Diabetic Retinopathy Guide8 Tips to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stages
Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Next in Diabetic Retinopathy Guide
Diabeticretinopathycan cause vision changes, including trouble reading and difficulty with distance vision. Early in the disease, there may be no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, other symptoms like blurred vision, dark floating spots, and streaks that look like cobwebs can occur.
In developed countries, the most severe symptom—vision loss and blindness—is the most frequent cause of new cases of blindness among adults ages 20 to 74.It is estimated that more than half of people with diabetes will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy over time.
This article looks at the stages, symptoms, and complications of diabetic retinopathy. It also discusses some of the steps that can be taken in order to prevent blindness related to this condition.
Pornpak Khunatorn / Getty Images
There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy:
The progression of retinopathy appears to depend on several factors, like how long you have had diabetes and how well your blood sugar is controlled. But symptoms invariably get worse over time.
What to Know About Diabetic Retinopathy
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
As the condition progresses, you may experience:
These symptoms typically affect both eyes. In the early stages, symptoms may come and go.
Diabetic retinopathy can lead to problems with central vision.Vision loss may begin as blurriness or double vision. You may also have blank spots in your vision.
Vision loss is the most serious symptom of diabetic retinopathy. Vision loss andblindnesstypically occur when less severe forms of retinopathy are not treated and a person has had uncontrolled blood sugars for a very long time.
Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for serious vision loss.
What Is a Detached Retina?
Cataracts
Cataractsoccur when the natural lens of your eyes becomes cloudy. In your eye, an enzyme converts sugars into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol. Excess sorbitol in the eye can make the lens cloudy. High blood sugar can also lead to swelling, which can also contribute to the formation of cataracts.
Cataracts are one of the most common eye complications of diabetes. Having diabetes makes you two to five times more likely to develop cataracts.
Older research suggests that cataract surgery may accelerate the progression of diabetic retinopathy, but the American Diabetes Association states that recent studies have not definitively shown this association.
Glaucoma
When you have diabetes, new blood vessels that form on the retina can prevent fluids from draining out of the eye. This can cause the increase in eye pressure that leads to glaucoma. Glaucoma can cause loss of your peripheral (side) vision.
People with diabetes can also get a rare type of severe glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss if it’s not treated right away.
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)
When fluid accumulates in the eye, it can lead to swelling or thickening of the macula, which is the center of the retina. This leads to a complication calleddiabetic macular edema(DME).
DME can happen at any stage of diabetic retinopathy.It may progress slowly and doesn’t usually cause symptoms right away. When it does cause symptoms, they may include:
DME is the most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetic retinopathy.
Retinal Detachment
The growth of new blood vessels can cause scar tissue to develop in the retina. When the scar tissue shrinks, it can distort the retina and pull it out of place.
If a small portion of your retina is detached, you may not have symptoms. However, if a larger portion is detached, you may experience:
Any symptoms ofretinal detachmentshould prompt you to seek medical attention right away. This is considered a medical emergency and immediate treatment is needed to prevent further damage. Retinal detachment can cause permanent blindness.
Vitreous Hemorrhage
In people with diabetic retinopathy, the abnormal blood vessels in the eye can easily rupture and bleed. Avitreoushemorrhage happens when this blood leaks into the vitreous humor, the clear fluid in the center of your eye. The blood prevents light from reaching your retina.
When you have a vitreous hemorrhage, you may have:
Vitreous hemorrhage usually requires laser treatment to stop the bleeding. In severe cases, the vitreous humor and surrounding membrane may need to be removed.
Even after the bleeding is stopped, it may take a few weeks for vision to return. This is because it takes time for the body to remove the blood from the vitreous humor.
Blindness
Certain complications of diabetic retinopathy can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. This includes retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and glaucoma.
In the United States, roughly 2.2% of people with diabetes who are over the age of 45 have vision loss related to diabetic retinopathy.Globally, diabetic retinopathy has caused blindness in about .8 million people.
Because eye disease can begin before symptoms do, the American Diabetes Association recommends:
When and how often you should go to the eye healthcare provider also depends on your glycemic control, if you are having symptoms, and your eye health. Parents of children with type 1 diabetes should ask their healthcare provider when and how often they need an eye exam.
People with preexisting diabetes (type 1 or 2) who are planning to get pregnant should discuss eye health with their healthcare provider, and they should have an eye exam before getting pregnant or within the first trimester of pregnancy.
It is estimated that regular follow-up and early detection and treatment of retinopathy could prevent up to 98% of visual loss due to retinopathy.
When to Seek Immediate Care
If you are having any symptoms of visual impairment, such as an increase in blurriness, flashes of light, cloudiness, or vision loss, you should contact your healthcare provider right away for immediate care.
Retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency. You should see your healthcare provider or head to the emergency room if you have any symptoms. Early treatment could save your vision.
Summary
People with diabetic retinopathy are at higher risk for developing cataracts and glaucoma. Other potential complications include retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage.
A Word From Verywell
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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