1. Background retinopathy — (also known as mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy - NPDR) — we can detect small changes to your blood vessels, usually seen as tiny bulges in the walls of the blood vessels supplying the back of your eyes. These can also bleed easily due to the weakening of the blood vessel walls, so some small haemorrhages may be detected. Your eyesight isn’t usually affected at this stage. Your optometrist will advise on the next examination interva
2. No retinopathy — there is no diabetic retinopathy visible, but we’ll continue to monitor this at each visit.
3. Pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (also known as referable retinopathy) — we can see more severe and more widespread damage to the blood supply of the retina and there is a higher risk that your eyesight could be affected. You may at this stage be referred to a diabetic eye clinic to decide on how to reduce any further deterioration to the blood supply.
4. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) – This is where, as a result of the poor blood supply at the

back of the eyes, new vessels have formed to try and compensate for the reduced blood flow in the usual retinal blood vessel network. These new vessels are fragile and can bleed significantly and there may also be scar tissue formed on the retina which can lead to more serious sight-threatening problems such as retinal detachments. At this point there is a very high risk you could lose your eyesight and referral for potential treatment would be offered in order to try and stabilise your vision, however at this stage any vision which is already lost is unlikely to be restored.

• Diabetic maculopathy — This is a form of diabetic retinopathy that occurs when the vessels supplying the central part of the retina, which is responsible for our central vision and seeing fine detail, become blocked or leak fluids, fats and proteins. At this point there is a significant chance that your eyesight will be affected, and it can impact your ability to read or see fine detail. Referral to a diabetic eye specialist would be necessary to determine if any treatment is indicated or for further monitoring.

Symptoms of Diabetic retinopathy

• Gradually worsening vision
• Sudden vision loss
• Shapes floating in your field of vision (floaters)
• Blurred or patchy vision
• Eye pain or redness

Diabetic retinopathy can be screened by you local Optometrists.

If your results show no retinopathy or background retinopathy, you will be invited back for another screening appointment at the recommended screening interval.

There's a lot involved in the detection and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, so together with our in-house opticians, You can read more here: What happens at a diabetic retinopathy screening?