Diabetic retinopathy is caused by long-term damage to the small blood vessels of the retina from raised blood sugar levels in diabetes. Over time, this weakens vessel walls, leading to leakage, blockage, and abnormal new vessel growth.
Main Risk Factors
The risk increases with the duration of diabetes, poor glucose control, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Smoking, kidney disease, and pregnancy in women with pre-existing diabetes can also accelerate changes.
- Persistently high blood sugar damages capillary walls and supporting cells
- Blocked vessels leave areas of retina starved of oxygen
- In response, the eye releases growth factors that drive fragile new vessels to form
- These vessels can bleed, scar, and pull on the retina, threatening vision
Early stages may cause no symptoms even while damage is developing, which is why regular retinal screening is essential for everyone with diabetes. Tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol significantly reduces the risk and severity of diabetic retinopathy.
- Prompt treatment of detected changes can prevent or delay vision loss
- Lifestyle measures and medication adjustments are key parts of prevention
- People with diabetes should attend all scheduled eye-screening appointments
- Any sudden change in vision should be checked urgently
