Most of the diabetics in preclinical stage are symptom less, hence do not get picked up early. Without regular check of their blood sugar and ophthalmic examination, they progress into more complicated stages.

 Nonproliferative retinopathy is a condition in which the small capillaries in the retina break and cause macular edema. The fluid makes the macula swell, causing blurred vision.


Clinically significant macular edema By using the opthalmoscope any edema can be detected in the macular region. In the picture above macular edema is shown as the circular region, the circumference of which denotes the level of edema.

Proliferative retinopathy occurs when the damage to the retina causes new blood vessels to grow abnormally. These vessels also bleed easily into the inner part of the eye, causing blurred vision and dark spots that appear to float in your vision, and eventually destroying the retina. In extreme cases, you may only be able to tell light from dark in the affected eye. Heavy bleeding (hemorrhages) often occur during sleep.


Severe diabetic retinopathy before and after photocoagulation. The black patch on the left denotes new vascularity. Same retina after photocoagulation.

Late proliferative retinopathy - severe visual loss is noticed and on examination. Retinal detachment may be noticed sometimes. More new blood vessels are seen in the retina. Treating this stage becomes difficult for the ophthalmologist.

Late proliferative diabetic retinopathy with large plaques involving the macula

Vision of a normal person

Vision in person with advanced diabetic retinopathy