What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes. These vessels may leak, close off, or grow abnormally, leading to vision loss if untreated.

What causes diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by long-term high blood sugar levels that damage retinal blood vessels. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and duration of diabetes also increase risk.

What are the treatment options for diabetic retinopathy?

Treatment options may include careful monitoring, improved diabetes control, eye injections, laser therapy, and vitrectomy surgery depending on disease severity.

Can diabetic retinopathy cause blindness?

Yes. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to permanent vision loss, but early detection and treatment can significantly reduce this risk.

What is diabetic macular edema?

Diabetic macular edema is swelling in the macula caused by leaking blood vessels, leading to blurred or distorted central vision.

When should I see a retina specialist?

You should see a retina specialist if you experience vision changes, floaters, or have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema.

Diabetic Eye Disease Treatment — Retinal Consultants of Arizona

Q: How often should diabetics get eye exams?

Most patients with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, or more frequently if retinopathy is present.

Home Services Diabetic Retinopathy

About Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related eye condition that affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the retina. These vessels may leak fluid or blood, close off, or trigger the growth of abnormal new blood vessels.

Diabetic retinopathy can develop without noticeable symptoms at first, which is why routine diabetic eye exams are so important. Early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring can help protect your vision and reduce the risk of serious complications. Diabetic retinopathy may have no early symptoms and is diagnosed through a dilated eye exam.

There are two main stages of diabetic retinopathy: nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Title screen for diabetic eye disease video.

Image of mild to moderate Diabetic retinopathy.

Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, or NPDR, is the earlier stage of diabetic retinopathy. In this stage, small blood vessels in the retina become weakened and may leak blood, fluid, or fatty deposits. Many people with NPDR do not notice symptoms, especially in the early stages.

When vision is affected, it is often due to diabetic macular edema or macular ischemia.

Diabetic macular edema occurs when fluid leaks into the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This swelling can cause blurry or distorted central vision and is a common cause of vision loss in people with diabetic retinopathy.

Macular ischemia occurs when small blood vessels close and reduce blood flow to the macula. When the macula does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, vision may become blurry or less detailed.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, or PDR, is a more advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. It develops when damaged retinal blood vessels close off and the eye responds by growing abnormal new blood vessels. This process is called neovascularization.

These new blood vessels are fragile and can bleed into the vitreous, the gel-like substance that fills the inside of the eye. A small amount of bleeding may cause new floaters, while a larger bleed can significantly block vision. In some cases, the blood may clear on its own over time. In other cases, surgery may be recommended.

PDR can also lead to scar tissue, retinal wrinkling, or a tractional retinal detachment. If scar tissue pulls on the retina, it can distort vision or cause severe vision loss. Advanced diabetic retinopathy can also contribute to neovascular glaucoma, a serious condition in which abnormal blood vessels block normal fluid drainage in the eye, causing eye pressure to rise.

PDR may affect both central and peripheral vision and requires close monitoring by a retina specialist.

Image of proliferative diabetic retinopathy progression.

Visual representation of what new onset floater could look like with diabetic eye disease.

Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms

Diabetic retinopathy may not cause symptoms in its early stages. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:

Blurry vision
Distorted vision
Straight lines appearing wavy or curved
New floaters or dark spots
Trouble reading or seeing fine details
Fluctuating vision
Dark or empty areas in your vision
Sudden vision loss

Any sudden change in vision should be evaluated promptly.

Diagnosis and Testing for Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam and dilated retinal evaluation. During the exam, your ophthalmologist or retina specialist carefully examines the retina for signs of leaking blood vessels, swelling, bleeding, abnormal blood vessel growth, or scar tissue.

Testing may include:

Dilated retinal exam to evaluate the retina and optic nerve
Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, to check for swelling or fluid in the macula
Retinal photography to document changes over time
Fluorescein angiography, when needed, to evaluate blood flow and leaking retinal vessels

These tests help your doctor determine the stage of diabetic retinopathy and whether treatment is needed.

Image of an older gentlemen having OCT testing during a diabetic eye exam.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and severity of diabetic retinopathy. In some cases, especially with mild or moderate NPDR, your doctor may recommend close monitoring and improved control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

When diabetic retinopathy becomes more advanced or causes diabetic macular edema, treatment may be recommended to help slow progression and protect vision. Current treatment options may include eye injections, laser treatment, or surgery, depending on the condition of the retina. The National Eye Institute lists injections, laser treatment, and surgery as common treatment options for diabetic retinopathy.

Medical Management

Managing diabetes is an important part of protecting your eyes. Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy progression and vision loss. Your retina specialist may work alongside your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, or diabetes care team to support your overall health.

Eye Injections

Your doctor may recommend injections of medication into the eye to treat diabetic macular edema or abnormal blood vessel growth. These medications can help reduce swelling, leakage, and the growth of fragile new blood vessels.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment may be recommended for diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, or neovascular glaucoma. The goal of laser treatment is to slow disease progression, reduce leakage, or treat areas of the retina with poor blood flow.

Laser treatment does not cure diabetic retinopathy, and it may not restore vision that has already been lost. However, it can be an important tool for helping prevent further vision loss.

Vitrectomy Surgery

In advanced cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, your doctor may recommend vitrectomy surgery. During this procedure, the vitreous gel is removed and replaced with a clear fluid. Vitrectomy may be used to clear blood from the eye, remove scar tissue, or repair a retinal detachment.

When scar tissue is pulling on the retina or the macula is distorted, timely treatment is important. The longer the macula is pulled out of position or distorted, the higher the risk of permanent vision loss.

Managing diabetes is an important part of protecting your eyes. Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy progression and vision loss. Your retina specialist may work alongside your primary care doctor, endocrinologist, or diabetes care team to support your overall health.

Your doctor may recommend injections of medication into the eye to treat diabetic macular edema or abnormal blood vessel growth. These medications can help reduce swelling, leakage, and the growth of fragile new blood vessels.

Laser treatment may be recommended for diabetic macular edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, or neovascular glaucoma. The goal of laser treatment is to slow disease progression, reduce leakage, or treat areas of the retina with poor blood flow.

Laser treatment does not cure diabetic retinopathy, and it may not restore vision that has already been lost. However, it can be an important tool for helping prevent further vision loss.

In advanced cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, your doctor may recommend vitrectomy surgery. During this procedure, the vitreous gel is removed and replaced with a clear fluid. Vitrectomy may be used to clear blood from the eye, remove scar tissue, or repair a retinal detachment.

When scar tissue is pulling on the retina or the macula is distorted, timely treatment is important. The longer the macula is pulled out of position or distorted, the higher the risk of permanent vision loss.

Why Routine Diabetic Eye Exams Matter

Because diabetic retinopathy can develop before symptoms appear, regular diabetic eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your sight. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends regular dilated eye exams for patients with diabetes, and the National Eye Institute emphasizes that early detection can help patients take steps to protect their vision.

If you have diabetes, do not wait for vision changes to schedule an eye exam. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a meaningful difference in long-term eye health.

Diabetic Retinopathy FAQ

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by diabetes-related damage to the blood vessels in the retina. These damaged vessels may leak, close off, or lead to abnormal new blood vessel growth. Without proper monitoring and treatment, diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by long-term damage from high blood sugar levels. Over time, diabetes can weaken the small blood vessels in the retina. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, pregnancy, smoking, and the length of time a person has had diabetes may also increase the risk of diabetic eye disease.

Many people do not notice symptoms in the early stages. That is why diabetic eye exams are important even when your vision seems normal. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include blurry vision, floaters, distorted vision, dark spots, or sudden vision loss.

NPDR, or nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, is the earlier stage. It occurs when retinal blood vessels weaken, leak, or close off. PDR, or proliferative diabetic retinopathy, is the advanced stage. In PDR, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina or optic nerve. These fragile vessels can bleed, form scar tissue, and lead to serious vision loss.

Diabetic macular edema is swelling in the macula caused by leaking retinal blood vessels. The macula controls sharp central vision, which is needed for reading, driving, and seeing faces. When the macula swells, vision may become blurry, distorted, or less detailed.

Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Your doctor may also use OCT imaging, retinal photography, or fluorescein angiography to evaluate retinal swelling, leakage, blood flow, and retinal changes.

Yes. Treatment may include careful monitoring, improved diabetes management, eye injections, laser treatment, or vitrectomy surgery. The right treatment depends on the stage of the disease, whether the macula is swollen, and whether abnormal blood vessels or scar tissue are present.

Diabetic retinopathy is a chronic condition, so it is usually managed rather than cured. Treatment can help slow progression, reduce swelling, control abnormal blood vessel growth, and lower the risk of further vision loss. Regular follow-up care is essential.

Many people with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Some patients may need more frequent visits if diabetic retinopathy is present or progressing. Your eye doctor will recommend a schedule based on your eye health and risk factors.

You should see a retina specialist if you have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, abnormal retinal bleeding, new floaters, sudden vision changes, or signs of advanced disease. A retina specialist can evaluate the severity of the condition and recommend treatment when needed.

Hear what patients are saying

I have always received the very best of care in the two years I have been treated by RCA. They are very professional and devote so much to research. These people are not five star they are six star.

Scott J.

Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable. They were great at explaining to me on what’s needed for my eye and quickly set up appointments needed. Thank all of you for your help.

Yvonne M.

I was very nervous about getting my eyes tested I had never had it done and I am 48 years old they were very very very patient with me very thorough with me they took my feelings into consideration they spent as much time with me as I needed I greatly recommend this place anybody

Kylee H.