Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye complication of diabetes and one of the leading causes of vision loss among working-age adults. It occurs due to prolonged high blood sugar levels damaging the small blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye responsible for sharp, detailed vision. The condition affects both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients and typically develops over years of poorly controlled blood glucose.

In the early stages, known as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), the retinal blood vessels weaken, leading to microaneurysms, leakage of fluid, and retinal swelling. As the disease progresses, it can advance to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), where abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These fragile vessels can bleed into the vitreous, cause scar tissue formation, and lead to retinal detachment, resulting in severe and permanent vision loss.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may be absent in early stages, making regular screening essential. As the condition worsens, patients may notice blurred or fluctuating vision, dark spots or floaters, difficulty reading, impaired color vision, and sudden vision loss. Diabetic macular edema, a complication where fluid accumulates in the macula, can occur at any stage and significantly affect central vision.

Diagnosis is achieved through comprehensive diabetic eye examinations, including dilated fundus examination, retinal photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography. These tests allow detailed assessment of retinal blood vessels, swelling, and areas of ischemia.

Treatment depends on the stage and severity of the disease. Early stages may only require strict control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, along with close monitoring. Advanced cases may require intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF medications, laser photocoagulation therapy, or vitrectomy surgery to remove vitreous hemorrhage and scar tissue.

Prevention and early intervention are key in diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye screenings, good diabetes control, and timely treatment can prevent vision loss in the majority of patients. Multidisciplinary care involving ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, and primary care physicians is essential for optimal outcomes.