Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
As the eye condition progresses, it can sometimes cause the blood vessels in the retina to become blocked. If this happens then new blood vessels form in the eye. This is called proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and is nature’s way of trying to repair the damage so that the retina has a new blood supply.
Unfortunately, these new blood vessels are weak. They are also in the wrong place - growing on the surface of the retina and into the vitreous gel. As a result, these blood vessels can bleed very easily and cause scar tissue to form in the eye. The scarring pulls and distorts the retina. When the retina is pulled out of position this is called retinal detachment.
Proliferative retinopathy is rarer than background retinopathy.
The new blood vessels will rarely affect your vision, but their consequences, such as bleeding or retinal detachment may cause your vision to get worse. Visual loss in this case is often sudden and severe.
Your eyesight may become blurred and patchy as the bleeding obscures part of your vision.
Without treatment, total loss of vision may happen in proliferative retinopathy.
With treatment, sight-threatening diabetic problems can be prevented if caught early enough. However, laser treatment will not restore vision already lost.
