Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms

Diabetetic retinopathy is a progressively aggravating medical condition caused by the damage to blood vessels of retina. Early stage retinopathy, medically known as Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is characterized by weakening of the blood vessels due to tiny protrusions in them. It is the most prevalent type. The advanced stage Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is characterized by development of abnormal or new cells which may leak and hinder the vision. It is also characterized by its severity . 

Since its onset is almost asymptomatic, diabetic retinopathy symptoms need to be reviewed with a proactive approach. Persons, suffering from diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 are very likely to fall victim to this disease in a state of total unawareness.

About retina 

Retina is the backstage of the eye where a very important function of signaling to brain is performed. After the entry in the eye, the light rays are focused and inverted by cornea and lens. The inverted image is then projected on retina located in the back of eye. It comprises of many layers and has many photoreceptors which convert the light into electric impulses and transmit them to brain through optic nerve. Choroidal blood vessles and central retinal artery supply blood to retina for proper function. When for any reason this supply is obstructed, the vision is impaired and incase of a diabetic patient it is reflected by diabetic retinopathy symptoms. 

Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms   

1. Blurred vision: is the first symptom of retinopathy and should not be ignored if it persists with an upward inclination and not caused by some temporary eye infection or due to the presence of some extraneous matter behind the pupils.
2. Dancing light balls:  some people experience spherical, objects of light, moving in front of them in a rhythmic and dancing manner.
3. Ribbons of light: some people observe ribbons of light flying in a wavy pattern
4. Opaque network: white and opaque net or web like covering, though not present physically is felt by the patient.
5. Dar spots: perceived visually by the patient may also be a symptom of diabetic retinotherapy.
6. Inability to focus: since the patients describe their symptoms from their personal point of view, no conclusive statement in respect of these symptoms can be made. Few of the patients have been found complaining about the inability to focus and having headache or slight disorientation.
7. Difficulty in acclimatizing: to changing light intensity. The patient can not adjust comfortably to bright light when facing it after remaining in dim light for sometime or vice versa. 
8. Poor night vision is also not an uncommon complaint among potential candidates of diabetic retinotherapy.
9. Color confusion: sometimes the patients have difficulty in recognizing colors properly.
10. Reading difficulty: may also be a symptom of retinopathy
11. Last but not the least is the painful sensation in retina.

On account of one observation expressed by patients in many different ways, it can not be regarded as a conclusive or representative list yet it may prompt you for check up.