Diabetic Retinopathy (Diabetic eye disease)

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What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

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Diabetic retinopathy refers to changes in the retina that occur with diabetes mellitus. It is characterised by progressive damage to the eye's retina caused by long-term diabetes. It can eventually cause blindness.

Who gets Diabetic Retinopathy?

Almost all people who have had diabetes for more than 30 years will show signs of diabetic retinopathy. Frequency studies have mainly been conducted in nations with a high incidence of Diabetes. Studies conducted in the US indicate that approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes, with 50% of them not even aware that they have it. Of those that know, only one half receives appropriate eye care. Based on these results, it is not surprising that diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in persons aged 25-74 years in the US, responsible for more than 8000 cases of new blindness each year. This means that diabetes is responsible for 12% of blindness; the rate is even higher among certain ethnicities.

Predisposing Factors

Diabetic retinopathy occurs as a result of damage to blood vessels within the retina. In its early and less severe stages, the blood vessels within the eyes become porous. As a result fluid begins to leak into the retina, casuing a blurring of vision.

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