• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • 01245 933 572
Support 4 Sight
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet the Trustees
    • Our Stories
    • Key Documents
  • How We Can Help You
    • Assessment Service
    • Chelmsford Hub
    • Emotional Support
    • Home Visits
    • Low Vision
    • Moving On With Sightloss
    • Support 4 Employment
    • Talks & Presentations
    • Uttlesford Talking News
    • Vision Impairment Awareness Training
  • How You Can Help Us
    • Fundraising
    • Corporate Fundraising
    • Give as you Live
    • Job Vacancies
    • Volunteering
  • Events
    • Coffee Mornings / Roaming Resources
    • Exhibitions & Focus Days
    • Social Trips and Events
  • Eye Health & Conditions
    • Eye Conditions
    • Eye Health
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Eye Health & Conditions2 / Eye Conditions3 / Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy

This is a complication of diabetes where the blood vessels at the back of the eye leak and rupture with loss of vision. The high blood glucose levels caused by diabetes affect the network of blood vessels supplying the retina at the back of the eye. They can become blocked, they leak or they can grow incorrectly. There are different stages of this and how your vision is affected will depend on the severity of the changes to the retinal blood vessels and the area of the retina that is involved.

There are things you can do to help control your risk or stop it from getting worse such as:

  • Doing your best to keep your blood glucose level in your target range consistently
  • Controlling your blood pressure within your target range
  • Controlling cholesterol levels
  • Taking regular exercise and eating a healthy diet to help maintain a healthy weight
  • Giving up smoking
  • Attending your diabetic health checks

Attending regular diabetic eye screening appointments as advised.

However, there are some risk factors you cannot control:

  • How long you’ve had diabetes. The longer you have had it, the more likely you are to develop some form of retinopathy
  • Age: Developing diabetes is more likely as you get older
  • Ethnicity: If you or your family are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (South Asian communities), or from an African Caribbean background, you’re more likely to get type 2 diabetes. The factors behind this aren’t fully understood but are thought to involve insulin problems, genetics, diet and lifestyle.
  • Pregnancy: Particular risk if you are already diabetic or had gestational diabetes before.

Most of the eye problems caused by diabetes can be treated, but treatment is more effective when picked up as soon as possible. Having your eyes checked and attending diabetic eye screening can pick up any changes.

For further information or to arrange a visit to our support centre please call 01245 933572 or email info@support4sight.org.uk. Or visit the RNIB website
www.rnib.org.uk

Donate Today!

Legal

Cookie Policy

Privacy Policy

Sign-up to our Newsletter

Download latest Newsletter

Sightline Newsletter

Follow us

Contact Us

Telephone: 01245 933572
Email: info@support4sight.org.uk

Support 4 Sight
17 Cottage Place
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1NL

© Copyright - Support 4 Sight 2025. Registered Charity No. 1169324
Scroll to top
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Font Resize
Accessibility by WAH
  • About Us
  • How We Can Help You
  • How You Can Help Us
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Donate