Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness. In diabetic retinopathy, there will be damage to the blood vessels in the retina.

In this condition there are blood vessels may swell and they leakage of the fluid. There will be growth of new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.

Stages of diabetic retinopathy

• Mild non proliferative retinopathy: this is the early stage of the diabetic retinopathy. The micro aneurysms occur. The micro aneurysms are the small balloon like areas in the blood vessels of retina.

• Moderate non proliferative retinopathy: In this there is blockage of the blood vessels.

• Severe non proliferative retinopathy: In this blood vessels are blocked. The new blood vessels are grown for nourishment.

• Proliferative retinopathy: It is the advanced stage of the diabetic retinopathy. The blood vessels that are formed are abnormal and they are fragile.

 Signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy

• Specks of blood or spots seen

• Floaters

• Blurring of vision

• Severe vision loss

• Blindness

 Tests and diagnosis

• Visual acuity test

• Dilated eye examaintion

• Tonometry

• Fluorescein angiogram

 Treatment:

• Laser surgery: The proliferative retinopathy is treated by a procedure called scatter laser treatment. This helps to shrink the blood vessels.

• Vitrectomy is done if there is severe bleeding from the retinal vessels.