More than 8,000 diabetic patients in the U.S. become blind every year. Early detection, along with improved lifestyle, is your best protection against permanent vision loss. By maintaining strict control of your blood sugar and scheduling regular eye exams, you can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.
In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.