Diabetes and eye disease Diabetes can harm your eyes. It can
damage the small blood vessels in your retina, the back part of
your eye. This is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes also
increases your risk of having glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye
problems. Retinopathy - diabetic; Photocoagulation - retina;
Diabetic retinopathy Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels of the
retina. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the
inner eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into
nerve signals that are sent to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy
is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans.
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at risk for this
condition. Diabetes - retinal conditions There are two stages of
diabetic retinopathy: The chance of getting retinopathy and
having a more severe form is greater when: - You have had
diabetes for a long time - Your diabetes has been poorly
controlled Other problems that may develop