Eye Health Guide · ORINvue
Diabetic Retinopathy
Hindi / common name: Diabetic Retinopathy (sugar (madhumeh) se retina ki bimari)
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the tiny blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, caused by long-term high blood sugar. It is a leading cause of preventable vision loss in working-age adults. In the early stages there are often no symptoms at all, so people with diabetes need regular dilated eye examinations even if their vision seems perfect.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Often no symptoms in early stages
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Patches of missing vision
- Sudden vision loss from bleeding inside the eye in advanced cases
Causes and risk factors
- Duration of diabetes: the longer you have it, the higher the risk
- Poorly controlled blood sugar
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy in women with diabetes
- Smoking
How it is diagnosed
An ophthalmologist diagnoses diabetic retinopathy by examining the retina after dilating the pupils. Retinal photographs are used for screening. An OCT scan checks for swelling of the central retina (diabetic macular oedema), and sometimes a dye test (fluorescein angiography) is used to study the blood vessels.
Treatment options
- Good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, with your physician
- Anti-VEGF injections into the eye for macular oedema and some advanced stages
- Laser treatment to seal leaking vessels or reduce abnormal vessel growth
- Vitrectomy surgery for bleeding or retinal detachment in advanced disease
- Regular follow-up as advised by your retina specialist
Glasses and lens options
Blood sugar swings can temporarily change your spectacle power. It is best to update glasses when your sugar has been stable for a few weeks, and after your eye doctor has checked your retina.
Prevention and everyday care
- Have a dilated eye examination when type 2 diabetes is diagnosed and then at least once a year, or as your doctor advises
- People with type 1 diabetes should start eye screening within a few years of diagnosis, as advised
- Keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control
- Do not smoke
- Pregnant women with diabetes need extra eye checks
When to see an eye specialist the same day
- Sudden loss of vision or a sudden shower of floaters
- A curtain or shadow over your vision
- Rapidly worsening blurred vision
- Eye pain with redness
Diabetic Retinopathy in Lucknow
India has one of the largest numbers of people with diabetes in the world, and many families in Lucknow have at least one diabetic member. Regular retina checks are as important as sugar tests.
How ORINvue can help
Every eye test at ORINvue is done by our qualified optometrist, Khushboo Gangwar, a complete vision and eye-health check in 10–15 minutes. If you have diabetes, she makes sure you also get a yearly dilated retina examination with a trusted eye specialist. ORINvue makes accurate glasses from ₹999 all-inclusive, with the eye test free with every package.
Book Free Eye TestFrequently asked questions about Diabetic Retinopathy
I have diabetes but my vision is fine. Do I need an eye check?
Yes. Diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms until it is advanced. A yearly dilated eye examination can catch it early, when treatment works best.
Can diabetic retinopathy be reversed?
Early damage can stabilise with good sugar control, and treatments like injections and laser can reduce swelling and protect vision. Advanced damage may not be fully reversible.
Why does my power keep changing with diabetes?
High or fluctuating blood sugar changes the shape of the eye's lens temporarily. Wait until sugar is stable before buying new glasses.
Is laser treatment painful?
Most people feel little discomfort. Your eye doctor will explain what to expect for your specific treatment.
Does diabetes cause other eye problems?
Yes. People with diabetes are also at higher risk of cataract and glaucoma, which is another reason for regular eye check-ups.
Explore more: Eye Health Guide (all conditions) · Optical & spectacles questions answered · ORINvue blog
Book a free eye test at ORINvue
Every eye test is done by our qualified optometrist, Khushboo Gangwar, free with every spectacle package. Opening December 2026 in Kalyanpur, Vikas Nagar, Lucknow. Open daily 10 AM–10 PM.
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