World Diabetes Day is marked on Saturday, 14 November, and the whole of November is also dedicated to raising awareness of diabetic eye disease. This year’s campaign carries the message “early action on diabetes” – and for the eyes it matters twice over, because changes in the retina often develop silently, years before you notice them. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people living with diabetes worldwide rose from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, so caring for vision has become an important topic for more and more families.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
The retina is a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye that turns light into signals for the brain. Persistently high blood sugar damages its tiny blood vessels: they become leaky, fluid or blood seeps out, and they can also become blocked. In the advanced, proliferative stage, the eye tries to make up for the poorer blood supply by growing new, fragile vessels that bleed easily. When fluid builds up in the central part of the retina (the macula), diabetic macular oedema develops, which can blur exactly the part of vision we use for reading and recognising faces.
Why do the changes go unnoticed?
The early stages of diabetic retinopathy usually cause no symptoms at all, as the US National Eye Institute (NEI) points out. Your vision can be perfectly good while changes are already developing in the retina. As the disease progresses, you may notice:
- blurred or fluctuating vision that does not improve with new glasses
- dark spots, specks or “floaters” drifting across your field of vision
- difficulty reading or recognising faces
- poorer vision at dusk and in dim light
- a dark or empty area in part of your field of vision
According to the UK’s NHS, sight lost to diabetic retinopathy usually cannot be restored. That is why the aim is to detect changes before they affect your vision.
Who is at greater risk?
Diabetic retinopathy can develop with every form of diabetes – type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. The risk is higher:
- the longer you have had diabetes,
- when blood sugar stays above target for long periods,
- with high blood pressure and high cholesterol,
- during pregnancy in women who already have diabetes,
- in people who smoke.
How often should you have your retina checked?
According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO):
- type 2 diabetes – a first examination at the time of diagnosis, then at least once a year;
- type 1 diabetes – regular annual examinations start five years after the onset of the disease;
- pregnancy – women who already have diabetes should be examined soon after conception, early in the first trimester;
- if changes have already been found, check-ups are more frequent, depending on the stage of the disease.
The examination is painless. After drops to dilate the pupils, the ophthalmologist examines the back of the eye in detail, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) displays the layers of the retina within seconds and helps detect even early swelling of the macula. This imaging of the retina and optic nerve is part of our Premium Plus eye examination. Because the drops blur your vision for a few hours, we recommend that you do not drive yourself after the examination.
How you can protect your sight
- Keep your blood sugar within the targets agreed with your doctor and check your HbA1c – your average blood sugar over roughly the last three months – regularly.
- Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol, as they also strain the blood vessels of the eye.
- If you smoke, stopping is one of the best things you can do for your blood vessels.
- Stay active and eat a balanced diet.
- Take your prescribed medication and do not skip check-ups with your GP and diabetes specialist.
- Put the date of your next eye examination in your calendar – even when you see well.
The good news is that effective treatments are available today: injections of anti-VEGF medicines into the eye, laser treatment and, in cases of major bleeding or scarring, vitrectomy surgery. The earlier they are started, the better the chance of preserving sight.
When should you see an ophthalmologist?
If you have diabetes and no symptoms, a regular retinal examination as recommended by your ophthalmologist – usually once a year – is enough. See us sooner if you notice a gradual decline in vision, new floaters or difficulty reading.
Seek help urgently (emergency number 112) if your vision suddenly becomes blurred or worse, if many new dark spots appear at once, or if you notice a shadow or “curtain” across part of your field of vision.
Conclusion
Diabetes does not have to mean losing your sight. With good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and blood fats and regular retinal examinations, most changes can be detected in time, when treatment is most effective. At Poliklinika Pavan, the examination includes a detailed check of the retina and, if needed, OCT imaging. Take a look at our services – you can book an appointment on +385 47 655 999 or via our contact form.
Sources: WHO – Diabetes (fact sheet); WHO – World Diabetes Day 2026; NEI – Diabetic Retinopathy; AAO – Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy; NHS – Diabetic retinopathy.
