# What is diabetic retinopathy and how does it occur? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy-and-how-does-it-occur Language: en Category: ophthalmology Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.947Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:52.947Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy-and-how-does-it-occur Diabetic retinopathy is a medical condition affecting the eye resulting from diabetes. The retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, is the part damaged in this disease; this layer receives light and sends signals via the optic nerve to the brain to enable vision. When a person has diabetes, sustained high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels nourishing the retina over the long term, which may lead to vision loss or blindness in advanced stages [\[4\]](). ## The mechanism of retinal damage The damage process occurs cumulatively within the eye. Initially, high sugar levels alter the structure of small retinal blood vessels, causing them to become blocked or leak fluid into the surrounding retinal tissue, causing swelling. As the condition progresses, the eye attempts to compensate for the ischemia (lack of blood supply) caused by the blocked original vessels by growing new, abnormal blood vessels. These new vessels are extremely fragile and ineffective, making them prone to bleeding easily within the eye, specifically into the vitreous humor, which leads to blurred vision or the appearance of dark spots [\[4\]](). ## Disease stages and complications In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, the patient often feels no noticeable symptoms, and vision may fluctuate between clear and blurry. However, the progression of the disease can lead to more serious complications beyond just retinopathy, such as Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), which causes blurring of sharp central vision, neovascular glaucoma arising from the growth of abnormal blood vessels that prevent fluid drainage from the eye, or even tractional retinal detachment resulting from the formation of scar tissue that pulls the retina away from its normal position [\[4\]](). For detailed guidance on the importance of early diagnosis, please review our guide on [Early Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy (Arabic)](). Managing diabetes through physical activity, a healthy diet, and adherence to medication, in addition to undergoing a comprehensive dilated eye examination, remains the cornerstone of preventing permanent vision loss [\[4\]](). ## When does the condition require emergency care? Since the early stages may be silent, any sudden change in vision requires a rapid response. Diabetic patients must seek medical care immediately if they notice symptoms such as: - Sudden flashes of light. - A significant and sudden increase in floaters or spiderweb-like threads in the visual field. - Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, which may indicate serious disturbances in retinal blood supply or detachment [\[1\]]() [\[2\]](). Early detection of issues gives the doctor the opportunity to use treatment options ranging from monitoring the condition, intravitreal injections, or using lasers and surgical intervention when necessary, which contributes significantly to protecting visual function and preventing the worsening of damage [\[4\]](). ## Medical references - [Retinal Disorders]() - [Amaurosis fugax]() - [Diabetic Retinopathy | National Eye Institute]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy-and-how-does-it-occur#answer