Although the term “diabetic eye disease” is often used these days, people may not realize that diabetic eye disease actually consists of many eye diseases that can lead to blindness if left unattended. Diabetic eye disease includes the following eye diseases: Diabetic retinopathy: 28.5% of people aged 40 and older with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the eye become swollen and dilated, leak fluid, or become completely occluded, preventing blood flow to the retina. Early diabetic retinopathy is asymptomatic, but can cause changes such as macular edema, which is the most common cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy includes laser surgery, drug injections, and vitrectomy, while the latter removes the bleeding, scar tissue caused by abnormal blood vessels. Cataract: This is a clouding of the lens in the eye that can cause blurred, blurred, and darkened vision. Although cataracts can occur as people age, diabetics are more likely to develop cataracts than their peers. Mild cataracts can be treated with glasses. However, once a cataract progresses, it may require cataract surgery. During surgery, the clouded lens is removed and an artificially created lens called an IOL is placed. Glaucoma: An eye disease that can damage the optic nerve and peripheral vision. Damage to the optic nerve is often the result of increased eye pressure. Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop glaucoma, and there are few visible symptoms in the early stages. Glaucoma can be controlled with eye medications or surgery, but if left untreated it can eventually lead to blindness. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with type 2 diabetes have their eyes examined with dilated pupils every year after diagnosis and every year thereafter, and that type 1 diabetes have their eyes examined every year for 5 years after the initial diagnosis.