November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. It is also the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. today.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

The retina is full of tiny little blood vessels. Retinopathy is the damage to the blood vessels of the retina, caused by prolonged high blood glucose levels. The blood vessels can become enlarged or clogged when blood sugar is high. They can also become weak and rupture. The retina can even become detached from the back of the eye.

What might you experience if you have diabetic retinopathy?

• Blurry or double vision
• Floaters or dark patches in your vision
• If you have a detached retina, you may see flashes, dark spots or a "dark curtain" over part of your vision. A detached retina needs immediate medical attention.

Retinopathy is not always noticeable in the early stages. It can progress silently for years without noticeable symptoms. Yearly eye exams are essential when you have diabetes. It's also important to keep blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible to prevent retina damage. If you notice any changes in your vision, call your eye doctor immediately.

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