November is Diabetes Eye Disease Awareness Month, a national effort to raise awareness about diabetic eye disease — especially diabetic retinopathy, the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes.
This month is a reminder that protecting your vision starts with prevention and early detection.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when chronically high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye responsible for vision.
Over time, these vessels can:
- Leak blood or fluid
- Swell and close off
- Grow abnormal new vessels that can scar or bleed
Without early detection, these changes can cause blurry vision, floaters, or even permanent vision loss.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, but certain factors increase the risk:
- Long-term diabetes
- Poor blood sugar control (high A1c levels)
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk — even if your vision seems normal.
How Common Is It?
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults aged 20–74.
Millions of Americans are affected, and many don’t realize they have it until vision problems appear.
That’s why annual eye exams are critical — early detection can prevent up to 90% of vision loss related to diabetes.
Symptoms and Early Warning Signs
In early stages, diabetic retinopathy often causes no symptoms at all.
As the disease progresses, you may notice:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark or empty spots in your field of vision
- New floaters (small dark strings or dots)
- Trouble seeing colors
- Sudden vision loss
How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Detected?
Eye doctors diagnose diabetic retinopathy during a comprehensive dilated eye exam, which allows them to see changes in your retina and blood vessels.
Other screening tools include:
- Retinal photography or imaging
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans
- Fluorescein angiography, to evaluate leaking blood vessels
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends:
- Yearly dilated eye exams for most people with diabetes
- More frequent exams if retinopathy is already present
Treatment Options That Preserve Vision
Treatment depends on how advanced the disease is. The good news: many treatments are highly effective when started early.
1. Control Your Diabetes
The foundation of prevention and treatment is good blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control.
Stable glucose levels (target A1c per your provider’s guidance) slow the progression of eye disease.
2. Anti-VEGF Injections
Medications such as Eylea®, Lucentis®, or Avastin® are injected into the eye to block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), reducing swelling and preventing new abnormal blood vessel growth.
3. Laser Therapy
- Focal/grid laser treats small leaking vessels.
- Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) helps shrink abnormal new vessels and prevent severe bleeding.
4. Vitrectomy Surgery
For advanced cases with bleeding or retinal detachment, vitrectomy removes blood and scar tissue to stabilize or restore vision.
How to Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease
Protecting your sight starts with everyday management of your health:
- Schedule yearly eye exams — even if your vision feels fine.
- Keep your A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol in target range.
- Avoid smoking — it accelerates blood vessel damage.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan — regular injections or laser sessions can prevent blindness.
- Work with a board-certified ophthalmologist for specialized care.
Access and Awareness: Closing the Gap
Despite proven screening benefits, millions of people with diabetes miss their annual eye exam.
Barriers include cost, transportation, and lack of awareness — especially in rural and underserved communities.
New solutions such as AI-assisted retinal imaging and mobile screening programs are helping more patients get diagnosed early.
Ask your primary care doctor or endocrinologist if digital retinal screening is available where you receive care.
When to Seek Immediate Eye Care
The board-certified ophthalmologists at Cali Eye Institute will be able to assist you with treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Contact your eye doctor right away if you experience:
- Sudden blurry vision
- A dark curtain over part of your vision
- New floaters or flashes of light
- Rapid vision loss
These may be signs of retinal detachment or vitreous hemorrhage, which need urgent attention. Our specialists support the latest, most advanced diagnostic, medication and laser treatment technology. Reach out to schedule your consultation today.