What are symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
ANSWER
You might not have symptoms of diabetic retinopathy until your condition becomes severe. When you do start having symptoms, you might notice:
- A loss of central vision when you read or drive
- Inability to see colors
- Blurry vision
- Holes or black spots in vision
See your doctor right away if you have any of these issues.
Reviewed by Michael Dansinger on June 22, 2019
SOURCES:
National Eye Institute: “Diabetic Retinopathy.”
Diabetes Care: “Diabetic retinopathy is associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence: the EURODIAB prospective complications study.”
American Journal of Epidemiology: “Lower-than-Expected Prevalence and Severity of Retinopathy in an Incident Cohort followed during the First 4-14 Years of Type 1 Diabetes.”
New England Journal of Medicine: “Angiogenic Pathways in Diabetic Retinopathy.”
SOURCES:
National Eye Institute: “Diabetic Retinopathy.”
Diabetes Care: “Diabetic retinopathy is associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease incidence: the EURODIAB prospective complications study.”
American Journal of Epidemiology: “Lower-than-Expected Prevalence and Severity of Retinopathy in an Incident Cohort followed during the First 4-14 Years of Type 1 Diabetes.”
New England Journal of Medicine: “Angiogenic Pathways in Diabetic Retinopathy.”
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.