Diabetic retinal disease is the most common eye disease which leads to blindness in American adults. It is the result of changes of the blood vessels in the retina. According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetic retinal disease has four stages. They are as follows:
Mild non-proliferative retinopathy – This is the earliest stage of diabetic retinal disease. At this stage, small areas of balloon-like swelling, called microaneurysms occur, in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy – As the disease progresses, some of the blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
Severe non-proliferative retinopathy – In this stage more blood vessels are blocked. This deprives several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas send signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment.
Proliferative Retinopathy – The new blood vessels that form in this stage are abnormal and fragile. They grow …