Diabetes can cause damage to the small blood vessels throughout the body. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensing tissue in the back of the eye, are damaged. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can result in severe vision loss, including blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among working age adults. Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, but those with Type 1 diabetes and those who have had diabetes for a long time are at greatest risk.

Because diabetic retinopathy can develop with few or no symptoms, it is important that all adults with diabetes have an eye exam at least once a year. Frequent, comprehensive eye examinations are the best protection against the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Your doctor will perform a thorough examination, using advanced technology, to determine if you are at risk or have been affected with diabetic retinopathy. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy is highly effective and most vision loss can be prevented with proper treatment and follow-up care.

Early detection and management is important to arrest or slow the development of the disease. With careful monitoring, treatment can