A ‘silent disease’ more frightening than the diabetes diagnosis itself
Diabetic retinopathy is a major diabetic complication where high blood sugar damages
retinal vessels and gradually steals vision.
Because early symptoms are rare and hard to notice, if you are diagnosed with diabetes
you need regular eye exams regardless of symptoms.
A stage with bleeding, exudates and oedema as retinal microvessels weaken.
Vision loss is mild, but if macular oedema sets in
it can decline sharply,
so regular specialist follow-up and blood-sugar control matter above all.
A high-risk state where poor blood supply
grows abnormal new vessels.
These vessels are fragile and rupture easily, causing vitreous bleed or detachment
that can lead to blindness — fast, precise treatment is required.
A major complication in people with diabetes —
the risk rises with blood-sugar control and vascular health.
Duration of diabetes
The longer you have had diabetes, the higher the rate
(observed in about 60-70%+ of patients with diabetes for 15+ years).
Unstable blood-sugar control
The more unstable your readings, the faster retinal vessel damage progresses.
Other factors
Hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, kidney disease, pregnancy and smoking
affect vascular health and aggravate diabetic retinopathy.
Vision looks foggy and
blurred as if misted.
Specks like dust or insects
seem to drift through your view.
Objects look distorted
or straight lines bent.
Flash-like light appears
even with the eyes closed.
Part of vision is blacked out
or veiled as if by a curtain.
May come with eye pain,
headache or nausea.
