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Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by diabetes. It is a leading cause of vision loss but can be prevented with good control.
Causes & risk factors
- Long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes
- High blood sugar levels over time
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Long duration of diabetes
- Smoking
Common symptoms
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Floaters or dark spots
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Patchy or missing areas of vision
- Often no symptoms in early stages
- Sudden vision loss in advanced disease
Tests & diagnosis
- Dilated retinal examination
- Retinal photography
- OCT scan of the retina
- HbA1c (blood sugar control)
- Fluorescein angiography
Treatment & management
- Tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol
- Regular retinal screening for all diabetics
- Laser treatment to seal leaking vessels
- Eye injections for swelling of the retina
- Surgery (vitrectomy) in advanced cases
When to see a doctor urgently
- Sudden loss of vision or many new floaters
- Blurred vision in a person with diabetes
- A curtain or shadow across vision
- No eye check in over a year if you are diabetic
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about diabetic retinopathy. It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?
Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, plus regular eye screening, greatly reduces the risk of vision loss from diabetes.
How often should diabetics have eye checks?
Most people with diabetes should have a retinal screening at least once a year, or more often if changes are found.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.