In the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy, small bulges have started to form in the blood vessels in the back of the eye. Because vision is not affected in the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy, it is extremely important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams.

In the more advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy, many people recognize problems with their sight, including blurriness that can affect their central (reading) vision. There are several treatment options available that can restore vision at this stage.

This the most critical, severe, and damaging stage of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. There are several treatment options available at this point, but vision cannot always be restored.

In the early stages of glaucoma, the disease doesn’t have any symptoms. Over time, glaucoma causes a slow loss of vision, starting around the edges of your vision and becoming more severe over time.

There are two different types of macular degeneration: dry and wet. Both lead to a loss of central (reading) vision.

Hypertensive retinopathy causes decreased sight and double vision. There are no symptoms until there is severe damage.

An epiretinal membrane is wrinkling of the retina. Some individuals experience changes to their vision that cause objects that would usually appear straight to seem crooked or wavy.

Cataracts are caused by cloudiness of the natural lens of the eye. This can cause cloudy vision, faded colors, glares around lights at night, and/or seeing double. Cataracts get worse as you get older.