Diabetic Retinopathy: Symptoms, Screening and Treatment

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to retinal blood vessels associated with diabetes. It may cause no symptoms at first, so regular diabetic eye screening and clinical eye care remain important even when vision seems normal.

Symptoms and urgent warning signs

Symptoms can include blurred or fluctuating vision, floaters, dark areas, difficulty seeing at night or vision loss. Sudden vision loss, a new shower of floaters, flashes or a curtain-like shadow needs urgent eye assessment.

Assessment

Assessment may include visual acuity, dilated retinal examination, retinal photography, optical coherence tomography or angiography when indicated. Screening does not replace an urgent examination for new symptoms.

Reducing risk and monitoring

Managing blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and kidney health can support overall and eye health. Individual targets and medicines should be agreed with the person’s diabetes team. Pregnancy can change retinopathy risk and may require additional monitoring.

Treatment

Depending on severity, an eye specialist may recommend observation, injections into the eye, laser treatment or vitrectomy. Treatment aims to reduce the risk of further loss; it cannot always restore vision already lost or guarantee stable sight.

Independent information is available from the NHS diabetic retinopathy guide and the National Eye Institute. Revitalize can confirm only its currently contracted eye specialist and hospital through the assessment route.

General information only.