How Diabetes Eye Complications Develop—and Early Signs to Watch For

Keshav Narain, M.D.
Nov 29
3 min read

If you live with diabetes, you probably hear a lot about keeping your blood sugar in check. But did you know that high blood sugar can silently damage one of the most delicate parts of your body—your eyes? Many people believe diabetes only affects glucose levels, yet one of its most serious complications is vision loss from a condition called diabetic retinopathy. This condition doesn’t cause pain, and early on, you might not notice any changes in your vision at all. By the time symptoms appear, the damage may already be advanced.

South Bay Retina | Regular eye screenings are crucial for individuals with diabetes to prevent silent damage and vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, which can cause swelling, leaking blood vessels, and retinal detachment. — Regular eye screenings are crucial for individuals with diabetes to prevent silent damage and vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, which can cause swelling, leaking blood vessels, and retinal detachment.

Diabetic retinopathy happens when chronically high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels that nourish the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye that allows you to see. Over time, these weakened vessels can leak fluid or blood, causing swelling, blurred vision, or even the growth of new, abnormal vessels that can lead to retinal detachment and blindness. This isn’t rare—according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in three adults with diabetes has some degree of diabetic retinopathy, making it one of the leading causes of vision loss among working-age adults.

The condition progresses in stages. In the early, non-proliferative stage, the small blood vessels begin to leak fluid into the retina, leading to swelling. Vision may still appear normal at this point, which is why regular screening is essential. As the disease advances to the proliferative stage, new, fragile blood vessels start growing on the surface of the retina. These vessels can easily rupture and bleed into the vitreous—the gel-like substance inside the eye—causing sudden vision loss or even retinal detachment if left untreated.

The good news is that early detection and control can make a world of difference. Regular retinal screenings allow eye specialists to detect subtle changes long before vision is affected. Advanced imaging tools, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography, help visualize these changes in detail. When diabetic retinopathy is caught early, treatments like laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections, or vitrectomy can preserve sight and prevent severe complications.

However, technology and treatment are only part of the equation. Maintaining healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels remains the foundation of prevention. Studies consistently show that patients who tightly control their glucose have a significantly lower risk of developing retinopathy or experiencing vision-threatening stages. It’s also important to avoid smoking, stay active, and follow up regularly with both your primary doctor and your eye specialist.

If you’ve been living with diabetes for several years and haven’t had a recent retinal exam, consider this your reminder. Eye damage from diabetes often develops quietly, but the consequences can be lifelong. Regular screenings aren’t just a medical recommendation—they’re a safeguard for your independence, your quality of life, and your ability to see the world clearly.