Although people with diabetes are at high risk for developing retinopathy, that doesn't mean they're going to lose their sight. Retinopathy is treatable, and the earlier it is diagnosed, the better are the chances for successful treatment.

Therefore, the most important thing you can do is make sure you have a dilated eye exam every year if you are over 30. If you are younger than 30, you should have an annual dilated eye exam after you have had diabetes for five years.

If retinopathy is present, doctors have a range of treatment procedures to slow it down and prevent blindness. Most common for some types of retinopathy is laser surgery, called photocoagulation. The surgeon uses a laser to seal the vessels inside the eye that may be leaking or bleeding. Other laser procedures are used in more advanced cases to prevent the growth of new, unhealthy blood vessels in the eye. In some advanced cases, doctors replace the fluid inside the eye that contains blood and strands of scar tissue with clear fluid.

Dangerous changes in your retina may be happening before you notice any change in your sight - so be sure to get your eye exams.

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