Diabetic retinopathy is a condition characterized by changes in the retina caused by diabetes mellitus.

The disease causes an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the retina.

If undetected, this can lead to increasing damage of the retinal vessels or to the formation of new porous blood vessels (proliferative diabetic retinopathy).

With ongoing progression, the disease may cause the storage of fluid in the centre of the retina (Macular edema) or bleeding into the vitreous body.

While diabetic retinopathy begins as a minor visual impairment, it can lead to blindness in advanced stages.