Loss of Vision
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that may occur in persons with diabetes as a complication. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Diabetic eye disease can often be treated before vision loss occurs. All people with diabetes should have a dilated eye examination at least once a year.
Diabetic eye diseases include the following:
- diabetic retinopathy
- cataract
- glaucoma
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease in people with diabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, retinal blood vessels may swell and leak fluid, while in others, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These changes may result in vision loss or blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy cannot be completely avoided, but the risk can be greatly reduced. Better control of blood sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and reduces the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy.
A person with an early stage of diabetic retinopathy may not experience symptoms or pain. Vision may not change until the disease progresses.
A condition called macular edema may occur when the macula, a part of the retina, swells from the leaking fluid and causes blurred vision. When new vessels grow on the surface of the retina, they can bleed into the eye, blocking vision.
