Stages Of Diabetic Retinopathy

"Diabetic retinopathy has three distinct stages:

1. Background Stge. At this earliest stage, microaneurysms occur. They are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina's tiny blood vessels.
2. Pre-proliferative Sytage. As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked. Small haemorrhages, more blood vessel invlovement.
3. Proliferative Retinopathy. At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina for nourishment trigger the growth of new blood vessels. This condition is called proliferative retinopathy. These new blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. By themselves, these blood vessels do not cause symptoms or vision loss. However, they have thin, fragile walls. If they leak blood, severe vision loss and even blindness can result."