What is the primary cause of diabetic retinopathy?

The primary cause of diabetic retinopathy is prolonged high blood sugar levels. This condition arises from diabetes, where inadequate control of blood glucose over time leads to damage of the retinal blood vessels. Elevated blood sugar levels can cause these vessels to become leaky, leading to fluid accumulation and swelling in the retina, which ultimately affects vision. Furthermore, chronic hyperglycemia can also result in the growth of new, fragile blood vessels in the retina (neovascularization), which can further exacerbate vision loss.

While high cholesterol levels, UV light exposure, and age-related degeneration can have their own impacts on eye health, they do not specifically initiate the pathological changes associated with diabetic retinopathy like prolonged high blood sugar does. Understanding that diabetic retinopathy is fundamentally linked to the metabolic effects of diabetes reinforces the importance of blood sugar management in diabetic patients to prevent or slow the progression of this eye condition.