Causes and Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy
People with diabetes may suffer from vision impairment called diabetic retinopathy. Learn more about the causes and effects of diabetic retinopathy.
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Transcript: Causes and Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy
Healthy Vision
During normal vision, light passes through the cornea on the outer surface of the eye, and then through the pupil and the lens, focusing on the retina. The retina is a delicate, light-sensitive lining located at the back of the eye.What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
A person with diabetes can develop damage to the blood vessels that provide nourishment to the retina. When blood vessels in the retina are damaged, they may leak, swell, or develop brush-like branches and extensions. This damage can lead to diabetic retinopathy.Effects of Diabetic Retinopathy
People with diabetic retinopathy may experience blurred vision, blank areas, or glare when in bright light. As the disease develops, cloudy vision, blind spots, and floaters may occur. Floaters are small spots that float across the field of vision.Risks of Untreated Diabetic Retinopathy
Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness. It is important that persons with diabetes get regular eye examinations.Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.
