Diabetic Retinopathy 

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can happen when you have diabetes. If it’s not treated, it can lead to serious vision problems or even blindness. 

At Banner Health, our eye care experts diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy using the latest tools and treatments. Learn how this condition develops, who’s at risk and what treatment options are available.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye condition linked to diabetes. It’s also a leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. 

When blood sugar stays high for too long, it can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina—the part of your eye that senses light. These damaged vessels may swell, leak or close off completely. Without good blood flow, your retina can’t work properly. This can lead to blurry vision and, if untreated, permanent vision loss. 

Stages of diabetic retinopathy

There are four main stages of diabetic retinopathy. The disease gets worse over time if not treated:

1. Mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR): Small swellings (microaneurysms) appear in the retina’s blood vessels. Fluid may leak and cause mild swelling in the macula (the center of the retina that helps you see fine details).
2. Moderate NPDR: Blood vessels swell more, and more fluid builds up in the retina.
3. Severe NPDR: More blood vessels become blocked. The retina signals your body to grow new, weak vessels.
4. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): New blood vessels grow on the retina and into the back of the eye. These vessels can leak, bleed or form scar tissue, leading to serious conditions like glaucoma, retinal detachment or blindness.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Many people don’t notice symptoms in the early stages. As the disease gets worse, symptoms may appear in both eyes and include:  

• Blurry vision
• Dark floating spots or strings in your vision
• Reading problems
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Trouble seeing colors
• Loss of vision

Who is at risk for diabetic retinopathy?

Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, including people with: 

• Type 1 diabetes 
• Type 2 diabetes 
• Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) 

Your risk goes up if you: 

• Have had diabetes for a long time 
• Don’t manage your blood sugar well 
• Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol 
• Smoke or use tobacco 
• Are Black, Hispanic or Native American 

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

Regular eye exams are the best way to detect diabetic retinopathy early. During your exam, your eye doctor will use special drops to dilate (widen) your pupils and look for: 

• Swelling in the macula (diabetic macular edema) 
• Poor blood flow 
• Leaking or blocked blood vessels 
• Abnormal blood vessel growth or scar tissue 

You may also need: 

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A painless scan that shows the layers of your retina and checks for swelling. 
• Fluorescein angiography: A dye is injected into your arm and pictures are taken of your retina to show blood flow and vessel changes. 

Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy

If caught early, managing your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure can slow the disease. You may also need more frequent eye exams. 

For more advanced cases, treatments may include: 

• Laser treatment: Helps shrink or seal off abnormal blood vessels to reduce swelling and prevent further damage. 
• Eye injections: Medications are injected into your eye to stop new vessel growth and reduce swelling. 
• Vitrectomy: A surgery that removes scar tissue, blood or fluid from inside the eye. 

What is the outlook for diabetic retinopathy?

With early detection and proper care, many people with diabetic retinopathy can keep their vision. Follow your provider’s care plan, manage your diabetes and report any vision changes right away. 

Tips to prevent diabetic retinopathy

While it may not always be preventable, these steps can help lower your risk: 

• Keep your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in check 
• Get an eye exam every year 
• Quit smoking 
• Drink alcohol in moderation 
• Eat a healthy diet and stay active 

Why choose Banner Health for diabetic eye care 

Your eye health matters. At Banner Health, we offer complete eye care for people with diabetes - from yearly screenings to advanced treatments for diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. Our experienced eye doctors are here to help you protect your vision and stay on top of your health.