Definition of Diabetic retinopathy:

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the eye's retina that occurs with long-term diabetes.

See also:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes

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.

There are two types, or stages of diabetic retinopathy:

• Nonproliferative develops first
• Proliferative is the more advanced and severe form of the disease

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans. People with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are at risk for this condition.

Having more severe diabetes for a longer period of time increases the chance of getting retinopathy. Retinopathy is also more likely to occur earlier and be more severe if your diabetes has been poorly controlled.

Almost everyone who has had diabetes for more than 30 years will show signs of diabetic retinopathy.