Frequently Asked Questions

Diabetes

Signs and Symptoms

In the early, most treatable stages of diabetic retinopathy, you usually experience no visual symptoms or pain. The earlier you receive treatment, the more likely treatment will be effective. The disease can even progress to an advanced stage without any noticeable change in your vision. But, if left untreated, proliferative retinopathy (advanced stage) can cause severe vision loss and even blindness.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may include:

• "Spiders," "cobwebs" or tiny specks floating in your vision
• Dark streaks or a red film that blocks vision
• Vision loss or blurred vision
• A dark or empty spot in the center of your vision
• Poor night vision
• Difficulty adjusting from bright light to dim light

When to seek medical advice

A common misconception among people with diabetes is, "If I can see well, there's nothing wrong with my eyes." If you have diabetes, you're at risk of diabetic retinopathy, even if you don't notice you're having any vision problems. The early detection of diabetic retinopathy is your best protection against vision loss. For this reason regular eye examinations are essential.

The National Eye Institute recommends that if you have diabetes you should receive a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. In addition, if you have diabetes and become pregnant, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible. If your vision becomes blurry, spotty or hazy, don't hesitate to make an eye exam appointment. If diabetic retinopathy is found, the course of treatment depends on the severity of the condition and whether your vision is currently impaired or threatened by the retinal changes.

Screening and diagnosis

Diabetic retinopathy, either nonproliferative or proliferative, is most often diagnosed during an eye exam if results reveal any of the following:

• Leaking blood vessels
• Retinal hemorrhage
• Swollen retina
• Fatty deposits (exudates) in the retina
• Areas of nerve fiber damage (cotton-wool spots)
• Changes in blood vessels, such as closures, beading or loops
• Microaneurysms
• Formation of new blood vessels (neovascularization)
• Vitreous hemorrhage
• Scar tissue formation with retinal detachment

Visual perception photos above of ocular disease come from the NIH website.