Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes affects the blood vessels throughout the body, including the retinal circulation in the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is the name we give to diabetes’ adverse affects on the blood vessels in the eye.

In the United States, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases over time. In fact, an adult who has had diabetes for 15 years or longer stands an 80 percent chance of experiencing damage to retinal blood vessels.

Special diagnostic tests help to determine whether diabetes is present and threatens loss of vision. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is done in conjunction with retinal specialists to diminish the loss of vision associated with diabetes.