Diabetic retinopathy | |
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Other names | Diabetic eye disease |
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Fundus image, showing several common signs of diabetic retinopathy | |
Pronunciation |
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Specialty | Ophthalmology, optometry |
Symptoms | Often asymptomatic, but can cause spots in the eye and vision loss. |
Complications | Vitreous hemorrhage, Retinal detachment, Glaucoma, Blindness |
Duration | Lifelong |
Causes | Long-term poor control of diabetes mellitus |
Risk factors | Diabetes, poor control of blood sugar, smoking, inflammation |
Diagnostic method | Eye examination[2] |
Treatment | Laser coagulation, Vitrectomy[2] |
Medication | Anti-VEGF Injection[2] |
Frequency | Nearly all patients with type 1 diabetes and >60% of patients with type 2 diabetes[3] |
Diabetic retinopathy (also known as diabetic eye disease), is a medical condition in which damage occurs to the retina due to diabetes. It is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries.
Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80 percent of those who have had both type 1 and type 2 diabetes for 20 years or more. In at least 90% of new cases, progression to more aggressive forms of sight threatening retinopathy and maculopathy could be reduced with proper treatment and monitoring of the eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher his or her chances of developing diabetic retinopathy. Each year in the United States, diabetic retinopathy accounts for 12% of all new cases of blindness. It is also the leading cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 64.