Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes caused by damaged blood vessels in the tissue of the eye's retina. Too much sugar in the blood can cause the small blood vessels that lead to the retina to be blocked. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy - nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), in which vessels in the retina have tiny bulges, leak and don’t grow correctly, and advanced (proliferative) diabetic retinopathy, where vessels are blocked completely and new, non-working vessels form, causing fluid to build-up (glaucoma). Symptoms may not appear at first, but as the disease progresses, blurred vision, dark spots, and vision loss can happen.
Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition
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Ophthalmology
BUEA offers routine eye examinations as well as a wide array of diagnostic evaluations and treatments for patients of all ages with eye conditions that include cataracts, ocular s…
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Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service
Our Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service offers a wide array of evaluations and treatments for eye conditions, including surgical treatment.
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Vascular Center
When the diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease is made and treatment is needed, the Vascular Center at Boston Medical Center offers comprehensive care including minimally invas…