Diabetic RetinopathyDiabetic retinopathy is one of a number of eye conditions that affects diabetics as a result of complications with their diabetes. It is also one of the leading cause of blindness in the United Kingdom. 
Diabetic retinopathy is responsible for damage to the blood vessels in the eye. These tiny blood vessels nourishes the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eyes. This disease damages the eyes by causing the blood vessels to swell and sometimes leak in the eyes. The leakage may be confined to the retina or may spread to the vitreous gel in the eye. Untreated this eye disease could cause vision loss. Before causing blindness it may go through four different stages according to the eye institute of America. These four stages are: • Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy – The appearance of small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina's tiny blood vessels. • Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy - Some of the blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked. • Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy. Many more of the blood vessels that nourish the eyes are blocked, depriving several areas of the retina of their blood supply. • Proliferative Retinopathy. The growth of new blood vessels that are abnormal and fragile may break and cause eye damage or vision loss. The growth may be along the retina and / or along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. How does it cause vision loss? 1. Fluid may leak into the centre of the eyes (macular) that deals with straight ahead vision. The fluid causes the macular to swell blurring vision (macular edema). 2. Abnormal blood vessels that are weak and fragile may develop and then leak blood in the centre of the eyes severely blurring vision or vision loss. Symptoms of Diabetic retinopathyIt does not cause any noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred and complications have developed. Late symptoms are: Tiny spots appearing Dark streaks appearing Blurred vision Partial or total loss of vision If any of these symptoms appear it is essential that you visit your eye care specialist. Since symptoms sometimes do not appear it is essential that you visit your eye care specialist at least once per year. The most common of the eye conditions affecting people with diabetes apart from Retinopathy, damage to the blood vessels in the retina, include: • Cataract—clouding of the eye's lens. • Glaucoma—increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision If you need further more comprehensive information on this and other eye problems please visit the National Eye Institute.
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