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What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
If you have diabetes, you probably know that your body can't use or store sugar properly. When your blood sugar gets too high, it can damage the blood vessels in your eyes. This damage may lead to diabetic retinopathy.

In later stages, the disease may lead to new blood vessel growth over the retina. The new blood vessels can cause scar tissue to develop, which can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. This is known as retinal detachment, and can lead to blindness if untreated. In addition, abnormal blood vessels can grow on the iris, which can lead to glaucoma.

Possible vision by person with diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with laser photocoagulation to seal off leaking blood vessels and destroy new growth. Laser photocoagulation doesn't cause pain because the retina does not contain nerve endings.

In some patients, blood leaks into the vitreous humor and clouds vision. The eye doctor may choose to simply wait and see if the clouding will dissipate on its own, a period called "watchful waiting." A procedure called a vitrectomy removes blood that has leaked into the vitreous humor. The body gradually replaces lost vitreous humor, and vision usually improves.

If diabetic retinopathy has caused your body to form cataracts, they can be corrected surgically.

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