Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most frequent causes of blindness in this country. Tragically, this form of blindness is completely preventable with proper control of diabetes and with yearly eye examinations through dilated pupils.

Diabetes causes a problem with the blood vessels in the body. The blood vessels begin to leak fluid, blood, and protein. In the eye, this leakage is seen in the retina as retinal bleeding and swelling. This blood and swelling interferes with the normal function of the eye, resulting in decreased vision. If this condition is not corrected, visual loss can be permanent. This type of retinopathy is called background, or non-proliferative, retinopathy.

Eventually, the abnormal blood vessels in the eye begin to grow. These abnormally growing blood vessels are very fragile, and especially prone to bleeding. These abnormal blood vessels may cause a large sudden hemorrhage, called

Proliferative retinotpathy with vitreous hemorrhage

a vitreous hemorrhage that can result in rapid complete loss of vision. Usually, this visual loss is not permanent, but vision may not return to normal after this hemorrhage. This type of retinopathy is called proliferative retinopathy.

The best treatment for diabetic retinopathy is PREVENTION. All diabetics should check their own blood sugar daily and record the results in a journal. This should be shown to the primary medical doctor at each follow-up visit so that tight control of blood sugar can be achieved. This means that all fasting blood sugar measurements should fall within a very narrow range. If your blood sugar tends to fluctuate a lot, your doctor must adjust your medications and your diet to optimize control of your diabetes. This is the best way to prevent blindness from diabetes.

If prevention of diabetic retinopathy has failed, your ophthalmologist (Eye MD) can use a laser to cauterize the abnormal blood vessels to stop the leakage of fluid and blood. However, these problems will continue to recur as long as the diabetes is not medically controlled.


Diabetes can cause premature development of cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which can cause blurred vision, glare, and difficulty focusing. Click here to learn more about cataracts and treatment of cataracts.


The abnormal vessels in proliferative retinopathy are not limited to the retina of the eye. Sometimes, these abnormal blood vessels grow on the iris of the eye and cover the drainage angle. This blockage of the drainage angle results in accumulation of aqueous humor fluid in the eye, increased pressure in the eye, and, ultimately, in a type of glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma.