Twelve million people in the United States have some form of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially serious
complication of diabetes that affects the retina. There are two types of retinopathy: background diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The proliferative type is the most serious form and can lead to blindness if not monitored and treated in a timely manner. The complications of diabetic retinopathy is leakage and rupture of new blood vessels that is trigger by the retina's lack of oxygen. The leakage of blood into the eye can shrink and pull at the retina, resulting in a detached retina.

Diabetics need annual dilated retinal exams. With early detection, the retinopathy can be arrested with laser surgery, in most cases.