Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Diabetes damages the body’s normal circulation which is why people with diabetes may have problems with circulation to their legs, kidneys, heart, brain, and eyes. At least 50 percent of all diabetics will develop diabetic retinopathy.
In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can swell or leak, or they can close, preventing blood from circulating through them. In some cases, abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina. All of these changes can cause loss of vision.
There are two main types of diabetic retinopathy: