Diabetic Retinopathy
Among the most serious complications of diabetes is vision loss. Regular retinal screenings are essential.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition where high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels, leading to vision loss. Since early symptoms are rare and easy to overlook,
if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, a thorough examination by a retinal specialist
is essential regardless of symptoms.
Key Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
- 1
Blurred Vision
Sudden vision loss
not correctable with glasses
- 2
Floaters and Photopsia
Sensation of dust or insects
floating in front of the eyes,
or flashes of light
- 3
Metamorphopsia
Objects or straight lines
appear distorted or warped
- 4
Visual Field Loss
Parts of the visual field
appear blocked or darkened
- 5
Caution
In early stages, there are often no symptoms at all, so you should not rely on 'subjective symptoms.'
Types of Diabetic Retinopathy
This is the stage where retinal blood vessels weaken,
causing microaneurysms or hemorrhages.
Vision loss may not be significant,
but if macular edema accompanies it, vision can decline rapidly,
requiring strict blood sugar control and follow-up monitoring.
This is the stage where abnormal
'new blood vessels' grow on the retina due to insufficient blood supply.
These vessels rupture easily, causing vitreous hemorrhage
or retinal detachment, which can lead
to blindness.