Revealed! What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy
In the beginning, most patients aren't aware they're developing eye problems. This stage is known as nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR.) In this early stage of the disease, the blood vessels weaken. New blood vessels no longer grow.
As diabetic retinopathy progresses, symptoms are easier to spot because they involve:
- dark spots in your vision;
- blurriness;
- floaters; and
- trouble differentiating colors.
This more advanced stage is called proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). At this point, the leakage occurs, and the eyes may fill with a jelly-like substance, explains the Mayo Clinic. As it continues to advance, the swollen blood vessels grow and push part of the eye out of place, thus detaching the retina. As the pressure builds beneath the eye, the patient may develop glaucoma and nerve damage.