Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes. It happens when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, at the back of the eye. Left undiagnosed or untreated, it can lead to vision impairment and blindness — which is why early detection matters so much.

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms at all. This is exactly why regular eye exams are so important if you have diabetes. As it progresses, you may notice spots or dark strings (floaters), blurred or fluctuating vision, dark or empty areas in your vision, or vision loss.

Everyone with diabetes aged 12 and over is eligible for regular eye screening. This can catch early signs of diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear, allowing for timely treatment.

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms — which is exactly why regular eye exams matter so much if you have diabetes. As it progresses, you may notice spots or dark strings (floaters), blurred or fluctuating vision, dark or empty areas in your vision, or vision loss.

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice sudden or severe vision changes, new floaters or dark spots, flashes of light, blurred or patchy vision that worsens quickly, or eye pain or redness. These can indicate advanced diabetic retinopathy or complications like retinal detachment.

If you have diabetes, book annual eye exams even if your vision seems normal — this is how we catch diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear at all.

High blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, causing blockages, leaks, and abnormal vessel growth that can harm vision.

This progresses in two stages. Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) is the early stage, where blood vessels weaken and may leak fluid into the retina. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) is the advanced stage, with abnormal blood vessel growth that can lead to bleeding and retinal detachment.

Risk factors include long-term diabetes, poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, pregnancy, smoking, and being of Asian, Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic, or Native American background.

Because the cause is directly tied to blood sugar levels over time, good diabetes management — alongside regular eye screening from age 12 — is the most effective way to reduce your risk of the condition progressing.

Anyone with diabetes is at risk. Risk factors include long-term diabetes, poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, pregnancy, smoking, and being of Asian, Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic, or Native American background.

Treatment is only necessary if screening detects significant problems putting your vision at risk. The main treatments for more advanced cases are laser treatment, injections of medication into the eyes, and an operation to remove blood or scar tissue. As an optician, Opticare doesn’t offer these services directly, but they’re freely available on the NHS or through other private clinics.