Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy refers to the term given to the damage suffered by the retinal vessels of the eye caused by diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by an abnormally large amount of sugar in the blood and urine. Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the optic nerve, and surrounding tissue, which are all necessary for sending clear images to the brain. When vision is affected, it is generally the result of macular edema, macular ischemia, or both. The macula is a minute area in the center of the retina which allows for clear focus of an image with very fine details. Macular edema is caused by a swelling or thickening of the macula due to fluid leaking from retinal blood vessels and is the most common cause of visual loss with diabetes. Macular ischemia occurs due to closure of the small blood vessels which are necessary to maintain sufficient blood supply to the retina. In severe cases of diabetes mellitus, other complications can arise including vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding into the eye), retinal detachment, and/or glaucoma. Treatment The best treatment for diabetic retinopathy is strict control of your blood sugar level. This will help to significantly reduce the risk of long term vision loss. Laser surgery is often recommended for people with macular edema. It is estimated that diabetes mellitus affects approximately five percent of Americans and that about half of these have yet to be diagnosed. Diabetes mellitus can cause damage to other areas of the body besides the eyes including: kidneys, heart, and limbs. However, proper treatment can help to reduce further complications. If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, you should have your eyes examined by an eyecare specialist.  Back