Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Posted on: July 14, 2025

Are you living with diabetes and worried about your eye health? You’re not alone—millions of Americans with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss if left untreated. And with July’s triple-digit temperatures impacting hydration and blood sugar levels, it’s more important than ever to protect your vision. 

At Desert Retina Consultants, we’re here to help you understand diabetic retinopathy and offer the most advanced treatment options led by the top retina specialists in the Coachella Valley. 

What is Diabetic Retinopathy? 

Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye condition that affects the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It occurs when chronically high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to leakage, swelling, and in severe cases, abnormal vessel growth and retinal detachment. 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults in the U.S. It affects more than 7.7 million Americans, and this number is expected to increase as diabetes becomes more common. 

What are the Types of Diabetic Retinopathy? 

• Non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR) is the early stage of the disease. Small areas of swelling occur, and the capillaries can begin to leak. Eventually, the blood vessels to the macula can close off. 
• Proliferative retinopathy (PDR) is an advanced stage of retinopathy. Growth factors generate new blood vessels that grow along the retina’s surface and into the vitreous gel; the fluid that fills the back of the eye. The fragile blood vessels often bleed and leak. 
• Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) often occurs with diabetic retinopathy. Fluid, called edema builds up in the macula, the central part of the retina. Macular edema can damage the central vision if not treated promptly. 

How can July Heat affect Diabetic Eye Health? 

The scorching summer heat in Palm Desert and Palm Springs brings more than just sunburns. It also brings health risks for people with diabetes: 

• Dehydration can lead to thicker blood and poor circulation, exacerbating damage to retinal vessels. 
• Fluctuating blood sugar levels are more common in the heat, increasing the risk of vision complications. 
• Heat stress may alter how your body uses insulin, further affecting glucose control. 

Staying cool, hydrated, and well-monitored is essential—but routine eye exams are critical in detecting and managing diabetic retinopathy early. 

What Are the Common Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy? 

One of the most challenging aspects of diabetic retinopathy is that it often develops silently, without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. That’s why many people don’t realize they have it until significant damage has occurred. As the disease progresses, you may experience: 

• Blurry or fluctuating vision — your sight may come and go, or objects may appear wavy or out of focus. 
• Floaters or spots — you might notice small dark specks, strings, or cobweb-like shapes drifting across your field of vision. 
• Dark or empty areas — blind spots or shadows in your central or peripheral vision can develop as more blood vessels are damaged. 
• Impaired color vision — colors may appear faded or washed out. 
• Difficulty seeing at night — driving at dusk or in the dark becomes harder as vision deteriorates. 
• Sudden vision loss — in severe cases, advanced diabetic retinopathy can cause sudden, dramatic vision changes or even total vision loss if there is a large bleed (vitreous hemorrhage) or retinal detachment. 

Conclusion 

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to lose your vision — but it does mean you need to be proactive about your eye health. Diabetic retinopathy can sneak up without symptoms until irreversible damage is done, which is why regular comprehensive eye exams with an experienced retina specialist are so critical. 

At Desert Retina Consultants, our retina experts are dedicated to helping you protect and preserve your sight with the most advanced diagnostics and treatments available right here in Coachella Valley. 

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. If you or a loved one has diabetes, make your eye health a priority — especially during our extreme summer heat, which can make complications worse. Call (760) 340-2394 or Request an Appointment today! 

Here’s what our patients are saying about our Retina Specialist:

“My 95 year old husband’s eyesight has been saved by the incredible treatment and caring of Dr. Chan – not only is he a brilliant doctor but he truly cares about making a difference. He is both a wonderful doctor and a very special man!”

“It’s been a great experience to be seen and treated by Doctor Martha Henao! I like that they take the time to explain every single procedure or treatment step by step. And also very grateful with Doctor Clement Chan! I wish I had them treated me since the beginning of my treatment and surgery. I will recommend both Dr. Martha Henao and Dr. Clement Chan great people and great staff.”