The diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by long-term elevated blood sugar levels. It is one of the most serious long-term complications of diabetes and is the most common cause of blindness in working age people.
Causes and risk factors
The disease occurs due to damage to small blood vessels in the retina. Important risk factors are:
- Long duration of diabetes
- Poor long-term blood sugar control (high HbA1c)
- High blood pressure
- Fat metabolism disorders
- Smoking
- Pregnancy if you already have diabetes
Stadiums
| stage | Description | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Non-proliferative retinopathy | Early stage – vascular damage without new vessel formation | Usually no or only slight visual disturbances |
| Proliferative retinopathy | Late stage – new blood vessels forming, bleeding | Severe deterioration in vision, possible retinal detachment |
| Diabetic macular edema | Swelling of the macula (place of sharpest vision) | Blurred vision, distortions |
Symptoms
Often asymptomatic in the early stages. Later occur:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Floating spots or flakes in the field of vision
- Sudden deterioration in vision
- Limited twilight vision
Diagnostics
Regular ophthalmological checks are crucial:
- Fundoscopy (fundoscopy)
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Fluorescein angiography
Therapy and prevention
The best prevention is good blood sugar control. For advanced retinopathy:
- Laser treatment of the retina
- Injections into the eye (anti-VEGF therapy)
- Surgical removal of the vitreous body (vitrectomy) for severe bleeding
Further information:
→ Diabetes mellitus – knowledge and overview
→ Why hyporest
→ Diabetic foot syndrome
Sources
- German Diabetes Society (DDG). S3 guideline “Diabetic retinopathy”. As of 2025. Available at: www.deutsche-diabetes-gesellschaft.de/leitlinien.
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1). Available at: diabetesjournals.org.
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Federal health reporting – diabetes mellitus in Germany. Berlin 2024.
- International Diabetes Federation (IDF). IDF Diabetes Atlas. 11th edition. Brussels 2025. Available at: diabetesatlas.org.
Important note:
The information in this encyclopedia article is intended solely for general and non-binding information. They do not replace medical advice, diagnosis or therapy. If you have any health questions or complaints, please always consult a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. The content was created with the greatest possible care, but errors cannot be completely ruled out.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
