These new blood vessels are easily shattered and can cause temporary blindness or blurred vision. When they rupture scar tissue is formed, which can cause the retina to detach itself from the back of the eye, causing further vision problems. Macular edema is also a problem with diabetic retinopathy. This is a fluid build up in the macula, causing it to swell, and vision loss ensues. About half of all people suffering from diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy, and the longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop it.
Diabetic individuals are at a higher risk than other persons for almost all eye ailments.
They are twice as likely to develop a cataract or suffer from glaucoma. Changes in blood sugar cause the lens of the eye to shrink and swell, which effects vision. There are no obvious symptoms or eye pain as with other eye ailments. Change in vision is the major symptom, but is usually not noticeable until the disease has become severe. Diabetic retinopathy usually occurs after an individual has had diabetes for about five years.