Diabetes is a disease in which, among other changes, there is an increase of "sugar" in the blood.
This disruption can damage several areas of the body. The
eyes are one of the organs that can be severely affected although initially there are no major symptoms.
Diabetic retinopathy is an ocular manifestation of the disease and is one of the leading causes of blindness.
To prevent
blindness,
blood sugar levels (blood glucose) should be monitored as closely as possible from the earliest stages of the disease.
Diabetic retinopathy arises as a result of
changes in the small blood vessels of the retina inside the eye. The altered vessels let fluid and blood flow to the retina leading to decreased vision. In some cases abnormal vessels develop in the
retina. These vessels are very fragile and bleed easily also leading to the formation of fibrous tissue that pulls back the retina.
This stage of the disease is very serious and is called proliferative diabetic retinopathy.