High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina (the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and sends these images to your brain).
Diabetic patients can have numerous ocular complications leading to severe vision loss and sometimes blindness. Although diabetic retinopathy can affect persons with either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, persons with Type 1 are at a higher risk of developing severe disease.
The Eye Encyclopedia written by Eye Physicians & Surgeons, sponsored by The American Academy of Ophthalmology
Eye Health information from The American Academy of Ophthalmology
Patient-information resource hosted by The American Society of Retina Specialists