Who can develop diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside of the eye and allows you to see fine detail.

Anyone who has diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. The risk is increased the longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugars are.  Additionally, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pregnancy, and smoking can play a role in disease progression. Although the very early stages may be asymptomatic with minimal effect on vision, it is extremely important to be checked regularly with a complete eye exam to prevent complications that could lead to blindness.