Diabetes Can Steal Your Sight—Silently
Did you know that diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness?
The most alarming part? In its early stages, it often has no symptoms. You may be seeing perfectly well while diabetes is quietly damaging the tiny blood vessels of your retina.
That’s why every person with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year, even if their vision seems normal.
Early detection can prevent up to 95% of severe vision loss with timely treatment.
Protect your eyesight by:
- ABCD: Keeping your haemoglobin (Anaemia), blood pressure (BP), Creatinine and blood sugar (Diabetes)
- Following a healthy lifestyle.
- Never missing your annual eye check-up.
- Remember: Good vision today does not always mean a healthy retina.
- Take care of your eyes—because once vision is lost, it may not be fully restored.
General Screening Recommendations
| Who? | First Eye Examination | Routine Follow-up |
| Type 1 Diabetes | 5 years after diagnosis | Every year (if retina is normal) |
| Type 2 Diabetes | At the time of diagnosis | Every year (if retina is normal) |
| Pregnant women with diabetes | Before pregnancy or during the first trimester | As advised, often every trimester if retinopathy is present |
Diabetes and Your Eyes: Why Every Person with Diabetes Needs an Annual Eye Examination?
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that damages the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It is a leading cause of preventable blindness, yet it often develops without any early symptoms. Good vision does not always mean healthy eyes, so every person with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye examination every year, even if their eyesight seems normal. The risk increases with long-standing diabetes, poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and smoking.
Early detection allows timely treatment with laser therapy, anti-VEGF eye injections, steroid injections in selected cases, or vitreoretinal surgery, helping to preserve vision. Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and regular eye check-ups are the best ways to protect eyesight.
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
No Diabetic Retinopathy
Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Moderate Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Severe Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Very Severe Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy and Recommended Follow-up Schedule
| Stage | What Happens? (Simple Explanation) | Common Symptoms | Recommended Follow-up* |
| No Diabetic Retinopathy | The retina is healthy, but diabetes can still damage it in the future. | No symptoms | Every 12 months |
| Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (Mild NPDR) | Tiny blood vessels become weak and develop small bulges. Some may leak a little fluid or blood. | Usually no symptoms; vision is normal | Every 12 months |
| Moderate Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (Moderate NPDR) | More blood vessels become damaged or blocked. | Usually no symptoms; mild blurring may occur | Every 6–12 months |
| Severe Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (Severe NPDR) | Many blood vessels are blocked, reducing oxygen supply to the retina. | Blurred vision or no symptoms | Every 2–4 months |
| Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) | New, fragile blood vessels grow and may bleed inside the eye, causing serious vision problems. | Floaters, blurred vision, sudden vision loss | Every 1–3 months (or as advised by the retina specialist) |
| Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) (Can occur at any stage) | Fluid leaks into the central part of the retina (macula), affecting sharp vision. | Blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading | Every 1–4 months, depending on treatment |
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment depends on the stage of diabetic retinopathy and whether the macula (the centre of vision) is affected.
Good Control of Diabetes
- Control ABCD: Anaemia, BP, Creatinine, Diabetes
- Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.
- Stop smoking.
Regular Eye Examinations
- Have a dilated eye examination at least once a year, or more often if advised by your eye doctor.
- Early detection can prevent vision loss.
Eye Injections (Anti-VEGF Medicines)
- Medicines are injected into the eye to reduce swelling and stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels.
- Commonly used for diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
- It is also used5-7 days before vitreo-retinal surgery
Eye injections (steroids)
- Medicines are injected into the eye to reduce swelling
Laser Treatment
- Laser seals leaking blood vessels and reduces the growth of abnormal new blood vessels.
- Helps prevent further vision loss.
Vitrectomy Surgery
- Performed when there is severe bleeding inside the eye or retinal detachment.
- Removes blood and scar tissue from the vitreous (the gel inside the eye).
Ongoing Follow-up
- Regular follow-up visits are essential because diabetic retinopathy can worsen over time.
- Timely treatment and monitoring help preserve vision.Remember: Don’t wait for blurred vision to visit an eye doctor. By the time you notice symptoms, it may already be late. A simple yearly eye examination can protect your sight for a lifetime.