U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You
  FAQs Site Map About MedelinePlus Contact Us
español

Other Health Topics:
Printer-friendly version E-mail this page to a friend
Illustration of external and internal eye anatomy

  • Related Topics

  • Go Local

    • Services and providers for Diabetic Eye Problems in the U.S.

  • National Institutes of Health

  • Languages

Also called: Diabetic retinopathy

Do you know what causes the most blindness in U.S. adults? It is an eye problem caused by diabetes, called diabetic retinopathy. Your retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. You need a healthy retina to see clearly.

Diabetic retinopathy happens when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside your retina. You may not notice at first. Symptoms can include

  • Blurry or double vision
  • Rings, flashing lights or blank spots
  • Dark or floating spots
  • Pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes
  • Trouble seeing things out of the corners of your eyes

If you have diabetes, you should have a complete eye exam every year. Finding and treating problems early may save your vision. Treatment often includes laser treatment or surgery.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources
Disclaimers | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services 		Date last updated: 29 April 2009
Topic last reviewed: 15 April 2009