Diabetic Retinopathy

Find out why it is so important to keep your body (and your eyes) healthy.

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20 to 64 in the United States. Diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside your body, including the retina inside your eye, usually related to poor control or to the length of time you have had diabetes. The blood vessels become “leaky” and leak blood and proteins into the retina. These fluids are toxic to the retina. If not controlled, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness. Yearly dilated eye examinations can help detect the onset of diabetic retinopathy as well as maintaining proper control with your diabetic doctor.