Non-proliferative (early-mid)
Retinal vessels weaken with microaneurysms
or small bleeds.
Even without sudden vision change, macular oedema
can cause rapid decline —
regular follow-up and blood-sugar control
matter above all.
Retina
Diabetic retinopathy
Managing retinal complications matters as much as the diabetes diagnosis itself
A "silent disease" where high blood sugar damages
retinal vessels and gradually steals vision.
Early symptoms are rare —
if you have diabetes, get checked by
a retinal specialist regardless of symptoms.
Types of diabetic retinopathy
Proliferative (late)
Inadequate blood supply forces
abnormal new vessels to grow — high-risk.
They're fragile and rupture easily,
causing vitreous bleed or retinal detachment
and potential blindness — fast, precise treatment is
required.
Causes of diabetic retinopathy
An unavoidable diabetic complication —
blood-sugar control decides your vision.
Disease duration
The longer you've had diabetes, the higher the rate
(60-70%+ in patients with diabetes for 15+ years).
Blood-sugar control
Unstable readings accelerate retinal
vessel damage.
Other factors
Hypertension, kidney disease, pregnancy, hyperlipidaemia
are major aggravators of
retinopathy.
Main diabetic retinopathy symptoms
1
Reduced vision
Vision looks foggy and
blurred as if misted.
2
Floaters
Specks like dust or insects
drift through your view.
3
Metamorphopsia
Objects look distorted
or straight lines bent.
4
Flashes
Flash-like sensations
even with eyes closed.
5
Field loss
Part of vision blacks out
— scotoma develops.
