In unrecognized, untreated, or inadequately treated cases of diabetes, high blood sugar levels in the body cause damage to the vascular system, not sparing the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic microangiopathy, retinopathy). In all cases, when the physician first diagnoses diabetes, and thereafter at regular intervals, an ophthalmic examination is highly recommended. This is very important for two reasons, on the one hand, the general state of the body’s blood vessels is visible only on the fundus and can be observed microscopically, and on the other hand, if left untreated, ophthalmic complications can even cause the loss of vision.
In the first stage of the disease, diabetic retinopathy does not cause symptoms that can be detected by the patient. In an advanced state, visual disturbances appear (blurred vision, vision loss), which are most often caused by edema, hemorrhages, retinal detachment, cataracts, maculopathy and glaucoma.