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Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes
that poses a serious threat to vision. It is a progressive
condition, in which pathologic changes to the retinal blood
vessels occur, and can be broadly classified as proliferative
or non-proliferative.
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In mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy ('background
retinopathy'), occlusion of the retinal microvessels,
combined with leakage from the vessels result in microaneurysms,
hemorrhages, exudates and edema.
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Proliferative retinopathy follows when secondary ischemia
leads to the growth of abnormal new vessels on the retina,
on the optic disc, or into the vitreous cavity.
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Visual symptoms rarely appear before advanced stages
of the disease are reached – usually either macular
edema or proliferative retinopathy.
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Central visual impairment can result from macular
edema or capillary non-perfusion.
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Proliferation of new blood vessels and contraction
of fibrous tissue can lead to traction retinal detachment.
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Vitreous or preretinal hemorrhage can be caused by
bleeding of new blood vessels.
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