What is diabetic retinopathy?

Key facts

More detail

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is caused when diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that acts rather like a film in a camera.

Diabetic retinopathy progresses with time but may not cause symptoms until it is quite advanced and close to affecting a person's sight.

In this video, Diabetes and Eyesight, an expert explains how diabetes can affect your vision, and the possible treatments for it.

Who is at risk?

All people with diabetes are at some risk of getting diabetic retinopathy, whether their diabetes is controlled by diet, tablets or insulin.

You are at greater risk if you:

• Have had diabetes for a long time
• Have poorly controlled diabetes
• Have high blood pressure

The following can help reduce your risk of sight-threatening eye changes:

• Aim to control your blood sugar levels as well as possible
• Make sure your blood pressure is regularly monitored
• Go for regular diabetes checks
• Attend your diabetic retinopathy screening appointments
• Follow Diabetes UK advice on diet and exercise
• Take your medication as prescribed

How common is it?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of sight loss in people of working age. 

It is estimated that in England every year 4,200 people are at risk of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy and there are 1,280 new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy.

The following film from Diabetes UK shows what it is like to live with diabetic retinopathy.

Further information

• Read the national programme's patient information leaflets 
• FAQs on diabetic retinopathy
• NHS Choices
• Your eyes and diabetes (Diabetes UK)
• Don't let the light go out on your sight (NHS Diabetes)
• NHS Diabetes
• American optometrist Justin Sparhawk explains Diabetic Retinopathy (You Tube)

Please note that the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is not responsible for the content of external websites.