You’ve been managing diabetes for years. Monitor your sugar levels, cut back on sweets during festivals, and remind yourself not to skip your medications. And then, during a routine eye check, the doctor mentions something unsettling. Changes in the retina. Nothing dramatic yet. But enough to worry you.
This is how many people first hear about Diabetic Retinopathy. Quietly. Almost casually. And yet, it’s one of the most serious eye conditions linked to diabetes.
Let’s slow down and understand it properly.
What exactly is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is damage to the retina – the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye caused by long-standing high blood sugar levels. Over time, excess sugar weakens the tiny blood vessels in the retina. They may leak, swell, or even close off completely.
This condition falls under a broader group called Diabetic Eye Disease, which also includes problems like diabetic macular oedema and early cataracts. But retinopathy is the most common and, if ignored, the most dangerous. And here’s the difficult part. In the early stages, you may see perfectly well.
Why does it often go unnoticed?
The retina doesn’t complain loudly. There’s no pain. No redness. No sudden blur in the beginning. You can drive, work, read messages, and manage your household. Life goes on. But inside the eye, damage progresses. Silently. That’s why doctors insist on annual retinal checks once you’ve had diabetes for five years (sometimes earlier, depending on control) even if your vision feels fine. Especially then.
The stages you should know about
Doctors classify Diabetic Retinopathy into stages. Understanding them helps you understand urgency.
- Early stage (Non-Proliferative Retinopathy):
Small blood vessels develop weak spots and leak tiny amounts of fluid or blood. Vision is usually unaffected. Treatment may not be needed immediately, but monitoring is crucial. - Advanced stage (Proliferative Retinopathy):
New, fragile blood vessels grow abnormally on the retina. These can bleed suddenly, causing black spots, cobwebs, or sudden vision loss. This stage needs prompt treatment.
Sometimes, fluid builds up in the macula (the centre of vision), leading to diabetic macular oedema. Reading and recognising faces become difficult. Frustrating. And worrying.
Who is at higher risk?
Not everyone with diabetes develops severe eye disease. But certain factors increase risk. Poor sugar control over the years. High blood pressure. High cholesterol. Pregnancy. Kidney disease. Smoking. Skipping follow-ups. Duration matters too. Someone with diabetes for 15–20 years carries a much higher risk than someone newly diagnosed. And yes, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can affect the eyes.
How Diabetic Retinopathy is treated?
Diabetic retinopathy treatment depends on the stage.
In early disease, strict sugar control and regular monitoring may be enough. Sometimes that’s all it takes. If treatment is required, options include laser therapy (to seal leaking vessels), injections into the eye (to reduce swelling and abnormal vessel growth), or surgery in advanced cases.
The procedures sound intimidating. They usually aren’t. Most injections and lasers are done under local anaesthesia. No hospital stay. Minimal discomfort. You can often go home the same day.
Recovery and return to daily life
This is what most patients really want to know. After injections or laser treatment, you may rest for a day or two. Mild irritation is common. Vision improvement can take weeks, sometimes months, depending on the severity.
You can usually return to routine activities quickly. Office work. Light household tasks. Walking. Festivals and family functions may need brief adjustments, but life doesn’t stop. And no, you won’t be blindfolded for weeks. That’s a common fear.
Costs, insurance, and affordability in India
Treatment costs vary based on stage and the number of sessions required.
As a rough estimate:
- Retinal laser treatment may range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 per session
- Eye injections can cost between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 30,000 per dose
- Advanced surgery, if needed, costs more
Many medical insurance policies in India cover retinal treatments, often on a cashless basis. Government schemes and employer insurance plans may also apply. It’s worth checking your policy details before delaying care. Most hospitals will guide you through this. Ask. Don’t hesitate.
Why regular follow-up matters?
Treatment isn’t always one-time. Retinopathy can recur if sugar control slips. Which happens. Life gets busy.
Think of eye care as part of diabetes care, like checking HbA1c or blood pressure. Not separate. Not optional.
That mindset alone saves vision.
Conclusion
If you have diabetes and haven’t had a retinal exam in the last year, book an appointment today. If you’ve already been diagnosed, don’t skip follow-ups just because vision feels stable. Vasan Eye focus on structured retinal evaluation and long-term monitoring. You can visit different centres of Vasan Eye in cities across India, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Bangalore, Coimbatore, and more, to get your eyes evaluated and understand what your retina needs next.
FAQs
1. Can Diabetic Retinopathy impair vision without showing any signs?
Yes, that’s a possibility. The initial phases are usually symptomless, which is the reason why regular eye examinations are so crucial.
2. Is the procedure painful?
Not at all. The majority of the procedures are done under local anaesthesia and the patient experiences only slight discomfort for a short duration.
3. What is the frequency of eye check-ups recommended for diabetics?
A minimum of one check-up in a year is the usual recommendation, unless your physician suggests more frequent visits.
4. Is it possible to lose sight due to this disease?
In most of the cases, the answer is affirmative, where, through timely Diabetic retinopathy treatment, the patient can be made to wait for the full cycle of disease progression or even stop it completely.
5. How long will the recovery be?
Not really. The majority of the patients come back to their normal activities within a day or two.