Diabetic Retinopathy is a secondary complication of diabetes and is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. Small blood vessels swell, leak and hemorrhage into the retina blurring vision and occasionally leading to blindness. When detected and treated in a timely fashion, significant vision loss can usually be avoided. Approximately 4.1 million Americans with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy. Anyone with diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, is at risk of developing this condition. At least yearly examinations are necessary for diabetics, as diabetic retinopathy has no symptoms.
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