Definition: Diabetic retinopathy is one of a group of eye diseases that can affect people who have diabetes. It is the third leading cause of blindness in adults in the United States.
Due to changes in blood chemistry and metabolism in diabetic patients, the tiny blood vessels in the retina may swell and leak blood and fluid. In some patients, new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina, causing changes in the retina and the vitreal gel that fills the inside of the eyeball. These changes can produce loss of vision and blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy can be worse in one eye but usually affects both eyes at once. The level of diabetic retinopathy is often directly associated with how well blood sugar levels are controlled in diabetic patients.
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy differs depending on the severity of the disease, but may include scatter laser treatment.
