Diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication associated with Diabetes and the longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of developing retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Retinopathy occurs when there are ruptures or breaks in the capillaries and blood vessels of the retina. The retina is essential to vision and when diabetes causes damage to the small blood vessels serious consequences can occur, such as severe visual impairment and blindness. Patients suffering from diabetes should have a dilated eye examination at least once a year. If retinal findings exist, the frequency of follow-up care will increase. If carefully monitored, the prognosis of advancing disease is significantly improved.