Diabetic Retinopathy

How can diabetes affect the eye?

Diabetes affects the very small blood vessels at the back of the eye (the retina). Diabetes causes these blood vessels to leak fluid, haemorrhage (bleed) and block. Eventually, small abnormal blood vessels can grow, resulting in severe haemorrhaging inside the eye, scarring and retinal detachments.
The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are varied. These include blurred vision, floaters, patchy vision and sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. It is therefore very important to be regularly checked by either your optometrist or ophthalmologist.