Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that occurs in people with diabetes and is the result of damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye. This damage can cause vision loss.

It affects more than 4 million people over the age of 40, according to the National Eye Institute. One in every 12 people with diabetes age 40 and older has vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy.

According to the American Optometric Association risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include:

• Diabetes – both people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at risk. The longer a patient has diabetes the more likely he is to develop diabetic retinopathy.
• Race – Hispanic and African Americans are at greater risk.
• Medical conditions – people with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are at greater risk.
• Pregnancy – since pregnant women face a higher risk for developing diabetes, they also are at greater risk for diabetic retinopathy as they age.

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