Diabetes and blood vessels

The high blood glucose levels that occur in diabetes can cause changes in the small blood vessels in the retina, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. In insulin-dependent diabetes, also known Type 1 or juvenile diabetes, eye examinations often reveal mild retinal abnormalities seven years after the onset of diabetes, on average, but damage that threatens vision usually does not occur until much later.

Retinopathy may be seen relatively earlier in patients after the onset of non-insulin dependent diabetes (sometimes called Type II or adult-onset diabetes). Retinal changes have already taken place in many cases when diabetes is first diagnosed.

The most dangerous form of diabetic retinopathy is "proliferative retinopathy", characterized by the growth of small new blood vessels into the vitreous. Acute loss of vision can occur due to bleeding into the vitreous from these fragile blood vessels, or scar tissue can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. Early diagnosis is vital.

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