Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by diabetes that damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It can affect anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and is one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss among working-age adults. The condition often develops without noticeable symptoms, making regular diabetic eye screening essential for early detection and timely treatment.
Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy can progress to complications such as diabetic macular oedema (swelling of the central retina), vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, and permanent vision loss. Fortunately, modern treatments can help preserve vision when the condition is diagnosed early.
You may not be aware the symptoms of DR in the initial stages of the condition, unless it progresses into a more severe stage. The symptoms of DR include:
The following are the risk factors for accelerating DR:
Dilated retinal examination: to examine retina and detect the presence of any diabetic changes in the eye
Diagnostic tests as follow to assess the severity of DR and to determine the best mode of treatment:
You should arrange a comprehensive eye examination if you:
Even if your vision feels normal, regular diabetic eye screening is recommended because diabetic retinopathy can develop silently before symptoms appear.
| Treatment | When is it used? | Main goal |
|---|---|---|
| Observation | Mild diabetic retinopathy | Monitor disease progression |
| Anti-VEGF injections | Diabetic macular oedema or proliferative diabetic retinopathy | Reduce retinal swelling and abnormal blood vessel growth |
| Retinal laser treatment | Selected cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy | Seal leaking blood vessels and reduce new vessel growth |
| Vitrectomy surgery | Vitreous haemorrhage or tractional retinal detachment | Remove blood, scar tissue and repair retinal complications |
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes. It can affect people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and may lead to vision loss if not detected and treated early.
Diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms in its early stages. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include blurred vision, floaters, dark spots, difficulty seeing at night, or sudden vision loss. Regular diabetic eye screening is important because damage can occur before symptoms appear.
Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. Your risk increases if you have had diabetes for many years, poorly controlled blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, or diabetes during pregnancy.
Yes. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to severe vision loss or blindness. However, early detection through regular eye examinations and timely treatment can significantly reduce this risk.
Most people with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year. Your ophthalmologist may recommend more frequent reviews if diabetic retinopathy is detected.
Diabetic retinopathy cannot usually be reversed once damage has occurred. However, treatments such as anti-VEGF injections, laser therapy, and vitrectomy can slow disease progression, preserve vision, and treat complications.
Maintaining healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and help slow its progression. Good diabetes control remains one of the most effective ways to protect your vision.
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and may include observation, anti-VEGF eye injections, retinal laser treatment, or vitrectomy surgery. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your retinal examination and imaging results.
Most patients experience only mild discomfort because numbing eye drops are used before the injection. The procedure usually takes only a few minutes and patients can typically return home the same day.
Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes, although one eye may be more severely affected than the other.
Untreated diabetic retinopathy may progress to diabetic macular oedema, vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and permanent vision loss. Early treatment offers the best chance of preserving vision.
Seek prompt medical attention if you have diabetes and experience sudden vision loss, a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, a dark curtain over your vision, or severe blurred vision. These symptoms may indicate sight-threatening complications that require urgent assessment.
