Diabetic Retinopathy 

A disease affecting the retina is a 'retinopathy'; Diabetes causing problems in the retina is Diabetic retinopathy (DMR) . Don't take this lightly, Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness. Here's what happens -

Early changes -

The Picture shows the retina in early Diabetes.

Background retinopathy

Multiple small dot-blot hemorrhages

Lipid (fat) deposits in retina forming 'soft and hard exudates'

CME- Cystoid Macular Edema

This means swelling at macula.

If no attention is paid to these early changes, it worsens and one gets these late changes.

Late changes -

Proliferative retinopathy, called that since there is proliferation or growth of new blood vessels. This has got to be treated with Laser.

Picture shows the retina with advanced Diabetic changes.

Bigger flame-shaped hemorrhages

Growth of new vessels on the disc and on the retina. These new vessels are leaky and fragile. They break and bleed easily

Bleeding into the Vitreous which leads to scarring and pulling or 'traction' on the retina.

Tractional retinal detachment