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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffDiabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that results from damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, however, diabetic retinopathy can result in blindness. In the United States, diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in adults.
Diabetic retinopathy can happen to anyone who has type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. In fact, up to 45 percent of adults diagnosed with diabetes in the United States have some degree of diabetic retinopathy, according to the National Eye Institute. And the longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy.
To protect your vision, take prevention seriously. Start by controlling your blood sugar level and scheduling yearly eye exams.
