Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Diabetes on November 3, 2026
Many people with diabetes assume their eyes are healthy as long as they can still read a menu or drive at night without trouble. However, diabetic retinopathy can damage the eye for years before vision changes, which is one reason the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) designates November as Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month.
The experienced team at EyeHealth Northwest wants to remind anyone living with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes that a yearly dilated eye exam can catch problems while they are still treatable. Diabetes affects far more than blood sugar, and diabetic eye care focuses on protecting the delicate tissue at the back of the eye from the slow damage high glucose levels can cause.
What Happens When Diabetic Retinopathy Develops?
The retina is the thin layer of light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Tiny blood vessels supply it with oxygen and nutrients, and these vessels are especially vulnerable to elevated blood sugar.
In the early stage, called nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, the vessel walls weaken and begin to leak small amounts of blood and fluid. Most people notice nothing at this point.
As the disease advances to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the retina starts growing new blood vessels to make up for poor circulation. These vessels are fragile and abnormal, and they cause most of the serious complications.
The Dangers of Leaving Diabetic Retinopathy Untreated
Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss if left untreated, and it usually affects both eyes. According to the AAO, diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the United States. The risk comes from several complications that can develop as the disease progresses.
Diabetic Macular Edema
Leaking fluid can collect in the macula, the small central area of the retina responsible for sharp detail. This swelling blurs or distorts central vision, making reading and driving more difficult.
Vitreous Hemorrhage
Abnormal vessels can bleed into the vitreous, the clear gel that fills the inside of the eye. A small bleed may cause dark floating spots, while a larger one can block vision almost completely.
Retinal Detachment
Scar tissue that forms around abnormal vessels can pull on the retina and lift it away from the back of the eye. A detachment needs prompt surgical care from a retina specialist to prevent lasting vision loss.
Neovascular Glaucoma
New vessels can also grow on the iris and block the eye’s natural drainage system. Pressure inside the eye then rises and can damage the optic nerve, causing a form of glaucoma that is often painful and difficult to control.
Why Annual Dilated Eye Exams Are Essential
Because early diabetic retinopathy causes no symptoms, the only reliable way to diagnose it is to examine the retina directly. During a comprehensive eye exam, dilating drops widen the pupil so your eye doctor can examine the blood vessels across the entire retina. Imaging tests can also measure swelling in the macula long before you would notice blurry vision.
The AAO recommends that people with diabetes have a dilated eye exam at least once a year, and more often if retinopathy is already present.
How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated?
When diabetic retinopathy is caught early, several treatment options can slow or stop its progress. Anti-VEGF injections reduce leakage and discourage abnormal vessel growth. Laser treatment can seal leaking vessels, and vitrectomy surgery can remove blood or scar tissue from inside the eye.
Treatment works best alongside good diabetes management. Lowering your HbA1c, a blood test that reflects average blood sugar over about three months, is linked to a significantly reduced risk of vision-threatening retinopathy. Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol in a healthy range helps, too.
Protect Your Vision This November
The experienced team at EyeHealth Northwest provides diabetic eye exams and advanced retina care at locations throughout the Portland and Southwest Washington area. If you have diabetes and have not had a dilated eye exam in the past year, now is the right time to catch up. Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today.
