Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetic eye disease that damages the small blood vessels in your retina, the back part of your eye. Diabetes also increases your risk of having glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye problems.

It is caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at risk for this condition.

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Learn more:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy
• American Optometric Association: https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy?sso=y
• Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611#:~:text=Diabetic%20retinopathy%20(die%2Duh%2D,or%20only%20mild%20vision%20problems.
• National Eye Institute: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy