Diabetic Retinopathy FAQ with Knoxville Ophthalmologist, Dr. Erik Sweet

Baptist Eye Surgeons • February 8, 2023

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the main eye diseases associated with diabetic eye disease. Its prevalence in the United States is expected to double between 2010 to 2050 , jumping from 7.7 million to an estimated 14.6 million. With these projections, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of your annual comprehensive eye exams so you can get treatment as soon as possible.

To answer your frequently asked questions about diabetic retinopathy, we’ll look at:

  • What is diabetic retinopathy
  • What causes diabetic retinopathy
  • Are there different types of diabetic retinopathy
  • How can diabetic retinopathy affect vision
  • Is diabetic retinopathy the same as macular degeneration
  • What is the first sign of diabetic retinopathy
  • Can diabetic retinopathy be cured

For the full diabetic retinopathy FAQ, watch our video with Dr. Erik Sweet below!

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina, which is where the word “retinopathy” comes from, and it’s damage that is due to diabetes or elevated blood sugar. The retina is the innermost layer of the eye and it can only be seen by looking through the pupil with a special lens. It’s a highly vascular tissue meaning that there are a lot of blood vessels there that are damaged due to high blood sugar. 

Click here to learn more about diabetic eye disease!

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Essentially high blood sugar is the problem. High levels of sugar in the blood are damaging to your blood vessels, your arteries, and your veins — especially the small ones known as the capillaries . The small blood vessels in the body are especially prone to this. Damage to these vessels causes leaking as well as makes them unable to bring the blood supply to the organ they’re supplying it to, which in this case is the eye, as well as they normally would.

This is the same problem that causes diabetics to have neuropathy , which is nerve damage often seen in the feet, as well as kidney disease. These are all vessel damage to the small vessels from diabetes.

Are There Different Types of Diabetic Retinopathy?diabetic retinopathy faq

Yes, there are actually two main types or categories of diabetic retinopathy. The earliest form is called non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and this is associated with spots of blood across the retina. There are also three main stages of this. 

This may also be associated with macular edema — the macula being the most important part of the retina where your central vision is handled. In addition, there can be something called macular ischemia . Ischemia is a lack of blood supply or damage due to low blood flow to the area. Both of these can be associated with this non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

What’s considered the more severe form of diabetic retinopathy is proliferative diabetic retinopathy . What distinguishes the two is the presence of abnormal blood vessels. In the proliferative form, the tissues of the eye are starved for oxygen and they send out signals to ask for help, and in response, the body grows abnormal blood vessels.

Unfortunately, rather than helping, those vessels can lead to significant problems. These problems can lead to:

  • Retinal detachments
  • Severe pooling of blood inside the gel of the eye
  • Sudden onset of glaucoma leading to permanent vision loss

The complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy can be quite profound and even irreversible.

How Can Diabetic Retinopathy Affect Vision?

This goes back to the different stages of diabetic retinopathy. Whether there are vision changes depends on the stage. Early diabetic retinopathy often doesn’t have any symptoms so even mild to moderate and even severe cases can be detected and seen when a patient really has no vision complaints. 

In some cases the vision complaints are vague. People will say that their vision is blurry, that they don’t see as well as they used to, or that their glasses aren’t working well anymore. Other times symptoms are more specific. You can have certain spots in your vision or sudden vision loss from glaucoma or a really bad bleed inside the eye.

This is part of the importance of getting an annual dilated eye exam with an ophthalmologist. A lot of times there are signs inside the eye before there are profound symptoms and these exams help us find them.

To read our complete guide to comprehensive eye exams, click here !

Is Diabetic Retinopathy the Same as Macular Degeneration?diabetic retinopathy: causes

The answer is “no.” Both of these diseases affect the retina with macular degeneration affecting the macula and it’s a degeneration of the macula. Diabetes can be seen as damage to the macula but it’s different. Macular degeneration often refers to age-related macular degeneration, which is unrelated to diabetes. 

Diabetes is not a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. On the other hand, risk factors include:

  • Aging
  • Genetics 
  • Environmental exposure

Macular degeneration is seen in diabetics and non-diabetics alike. Similarly, you can have both diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration but they are not the same thing. They can occur together or separately due to having different processes and risk factors.

Click here to watch our video with Dr. Adam Carrera as he answers your questions about age-related macular degeneration!

What Is the First Sign of Diabetic Retinopathy?

The first sign would be small spots of blood inside the retina. They can actually be difficult to see since they can be well under a millimeter in size that is seen in the back of the eye. They are the first major warning sign that diabetes is starting to affect your vision. You want a competent ophthalmologist evaluating you who can see them. 

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Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Cured?

In many cases, damage from diabetic retinopathy to the eyes can be reversed or halted. Unfortunately, it’s not generally cured. Diabetes that has progressed enough to reach the eyes is rarely cured. 

There are circumstances where somebody may have really poorly controlled diabetes for a long period of time that is left untreated and is brought under aggressive control. After that, the diabetic changes can go away and never be seen again.

Do you need treatment for diabetic retinopathy in Knoxville, TN? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

Diabetic retinopathy damages the retina, the innermost layer of the eye. It’s caused by elevated blood sugar and comes in two forms. Symptoms can be vague and even go undetected in the severe stages. While they can occur together, diabetic retinopathy should not be confused with macular degeneration. The first sign of the condition is blood inside the retina. While rarely curable, diabetic retinopathy can be halted or even reversed with early treatment.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN. Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .

What to Expect During Your First Eye Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide

September 22, 2026
A thorough eye exam is an important part of keeping your vision healthy and protecting your eyes. If you are arranging for your first eye examination as an adult, if you are taking a child in for an evaluation, or if you have noticed any changes in your vision, knowing what to expect can help make the experience more comfortable. The eye exams carried out at Baptist Eye Surgeons not only check your vision but also look at your general eye health and spot any possible problems that might call for further investigation. What is the Importance of Eye Examinations? An eye examination does not merely enable one to find out if glasses or contact lenses are required. It lets an eye care professional assess how well your eyes are working and spot the signs of common eye conditions.  Some eye conditions can progress slowly without symptoms. Regular eye checkups can help detect changes earlier and make sure you receive appropriate treatment when needed. Step by step: The Process Involved in Having an Eye Examination Even though the different appointments may vary according to your particular needs, a typical full eye examination will involve a number of significant steps. 1. An Examination of Your Medical & Eye History Your appointment may start with questions about your vision, medical history, medications, any previous eye conditions, and your family history of eye disease. Be sure to report any changes in your vision, eye discomfort, headaches, or other concerns you have noticed. Your eye care professional may also ask about the glasses or contact lenses you currently use and how well they work for you. 2. Checking Your Vision A well-known part of an eye examination is the visual acuity test. You might be asked to read some letters or symbols from a chart at a set distance. This lets doctors assess how clearly you can see and decide whether corrective lenses would help. Further testing could assess your ability to see up close and the way well your eyes work together. 3. The Measurement of Eye Health & Function Your eye care professional might carry out a number of tests in order to assess the health and functioning of your eyes. The tests involved may vary depending on your age, symptoms, and risk factors and could include measuring eye pressure, examining eye movement and coordination, and looking at the structures at the front and back of the eye. They can help spot possible signs of eye disorders. 4. Discussing Your Results Your ophthalmologist will review the results with you after the examination. If your vision has changed, they may suggest new prescription lenses. If they spot an eye condition or another issue, they could recommend further testing, further monitoring, or treatment. It is also a good chance to ask questions regarding your eye health and the recommended follow-up care. What Should You do to Get Ready for your First Eye Examination? Having an eye examination usually involves nothing complicated. It is a good idea to take with you your present glasses or contact lens details and to be ready to give a list of any medications as well as any applicable medical or family history. Additionally, it might be helpful to remember any vision changes or symptoms you have had. Dilation may occur during the examination if certain tests are performed. After dilation has been advised, your vision might be temporarily blurred or more sensitive to light. Supporting Healthy Vision The initial eye examination is a valuable chance to determine a baseline for your eye health and understand your specific vision needs. Regular eye exams help monitor changes over time and support early detection of possible eye conditions. Plan a visit with an eye care professional if you have discovered any changes in your vision or if you're due for a check-up.

Children’s Vision Milestones: What Parents Should Watch For

August 28, 2026
Healthy vision is essential for a child's development, learning, and daily activities. From recognizing faces in infancy to reading, participating in sports, and navigating school, children depend on their eyesight to interpret and relate to their environment. Knowing typical vision milestones helps parents spot possible issues and seek appropriate care when needed. How Does Vision Develop in Children? Vision develops rapidly during the first years of life. Newborns perceive light, shapes, and nearby objects, although their vision remains immature. As children mature, their capacity to focus, track moving objects, recognize details, and coordinate both eyes improves progressively. Due to the gradual nature of visual development, regular eye examinations are essential. Certain childhood vision problems may not be readily apparent, especially when one eye is stronger than the other. Although each child develops at an individual pace, several general vision milestones may guide parental observation. 1. Infants: Birth to 12 Months Within the first year, infants typically develop the ability to focus on faces and objects, visually track moving items, and reach for objects they observe. Caregivers may also observe infants responding to known faces and visually exploring their environment. If an infant does not track objects, exhibits eyes that frequently cross or wander, or fails to respond visually to people or objects, these concerns should be discussed with a pediatrician or eye care professional. 2. Toddlers: Ages 1 to 3 As children become more active, their visual skills continue to develop. Toddlers rely on vision to walk, climb, manipulate small objects, and interact with toys. Over time, they typically improve in identifying familiar people and objects and in coordinating eye and hand movements. Frequent eye rubbing, squinting, sitting close to screens, or difficulty seeing objects could indicate the need for an eye exam. 3. Preschool and School-Age Children By preschool and early elementary school, children utilize vision for detailed activities including coloring, drawing, letter recognition, reading, and participating in games. Effective eye coordination and focusing abilities support learning and classroom performance. Children may not always realize their vision differs from other children’s, so parents should watch for signs such as headaches, avoiding reading, losing their place while reading, holding books unusually close, or struggling to see the board. Signs of Possible Vision Problems Caregivers should monitor for changes in a child's vision or behavior. Potential warning signs include: Frequent squinting or eye rubbing Eyes that cross, wander, or do not move together Complaints of blurry or double vision Frequent headaches Difficulty reading or concentrating Sitting very close to a television or screen Tilting or turning the head to see Covering or closing one eye Difficulty recognizing objects or seeing at a distance Avoiding activities that require close or distance vision If you notice these signs, speak with a pediatrician or eye care professional. The Importance of Children’s Eye Exams Regular eye examinations can identify vision problems before they interfere with learning and development. Eye care professionals assess visual acuity, binocular coordination, and common childhood eye conditions. Early detection matters because some vision problems are easier to address when identified in childhood. Parents must follow their child’s healthcare provider's recommendations for vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams. Helping Protect Your Child’s Vision Caregivers can promote healthy vision by encouraging beneficial habits. These include spending time outdoors, taking regular screen breaks, using appropriate protective eyewear during activities, maintaining a balanced diet, and attending recommended pediatric and eye care appointments. Supporting Healthy Vision at Every Age Knowing children's vision milestones helps caregivers distinguish typical development and spot possible issues early. Throughout infancy and the school years, monitoring how a child sees, focuses, and interacts with their environment is vital for supporting healthy development.  If you notice concerns about a child's eyesight or alterations in vision, consult a healthcare provider or eye care professional. Early attention to vision supports learning, development, confidence, and overall quality of life.

The Connection Between Diabetes and Eye Health

July 29, 2026
Diabetes affects various parts of the body, including your eyes. Keeping your blood sugar under control is not just good for your health overall, but it also helps protect your eyesight. Over time, high blood sugar can irritate the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and increase your risk of serious eye problems. Knowing how diabetes and eye health are linked can help you identify issues and take measures to protect your sight. How Does Diabetes Affect Eye Health? When blood sugar stays high, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the part of your eye that senses light and helps you see. Damaged blood vessels might leak fluid, swell, or change how well the retina works. Diabetic eye problems usually develop slowly, so you might not pick up on any changes in your vision until significant damage has occurred. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams, even if their eyesight seems fine. Common Eye Conditions Linked to Diabetes People with diabetes are more likely to have certain eye problems. Finding and treating these issues early can lower the chance of losing vision permanently. 1. Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye issue that happens when high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels. These damaged vessels may leak fluid, which may cause blurry vision, dark spots, or changes in how you see. In advanced cases, abnormal blood vessel growth can lead to serious problems. If diabetic retinopathy worsens, new abnormal blood vessels can grow, causing serious problems, including vision loss. Getting regular eye exams can help catch these changes early, before they become severe. When fluid is retained in the macula (part of the retina which focuses on sharp central vision), this swelling can make it harder to read, recognize faces, or see fine details clearly. When detected early, treatments can help reduce swelling and protect your eyesight. 3. Cataracts People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting cataracts early. Cataracts occur when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy, which can cause blurry vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty seeing clearly. While cataracts come with age, having diabetes can make them appear sooner or progress quicker. 4. Glaucoma Diabetes can also raise your risk for glaucoma, which is a group of eye diseases that harm the optic nerve. Glaucoma usually starts without any clear symptoms, but if it is not treated, it can cause permanent vision loss. Routine regular eye exams are important for finding glaucoma early and keeping your eyes healthy Diabetes-related eye problems might not cause symptoms at first. Still, there are some warning signs you should look out for: • Blurry or distorted vision • Difficulty focusing • Dark spots, floaters, or shadows in your sight • Increased sensitivity to glare • Trouble seeing colors clearly • Sudden alterations in vision • Partial or complete loss of vision If you notice sudden vision changes, contact an eye doctor as soon as possible. The Value of Regular Eye Exams for People With Diabetes Getting a full eye exam is one of the best ways to protect your vision if you have diabetes. During the examination, your physician will study your retina, look for symptoms of diabetic eye disease, and track any changes over time. Many eye problems linked to diabetes can be treated more easily if they are found early. Regular checkups help your eye doctor give you advice that fits your own eye health and diabetes care. Protecting Your Eyes When You Have Diabetes Looking after your general health is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Here are some things you can do to protect your vision: • Keeping blood sugar levels under control • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol • Scheduling regular diabetic eye exams • Following your diabetes treatment plan • Eating a balanced diet that promotes eye health • Avoiding smoking, which increases the risk of eye complications Prioritizing Your Vision and Eye Health Diabetes and eye health are closely linked, but you can lower your risk of serious vision problems by taking action early. Getting regular eye exams, making healthy choices, and managing your diabetes all help protect your eyesight. If you have diabetes, seeing your eye doctor regularly can help catch changes early and keep your vision clear for the future. Your eyes are a key part of your health, so make caring for them a priority at every age.