To see, light must be able to pass from the front of the eye through to the retina, being focused by the lens. The retina converts the light into electrical signals that travel along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain interprets these signals to ‘see’ the world around us. A delicate network of blood vessels supplies the retina with blood, and retinopathy happens when those blood vessels become blocked, leaky or grow haphazardly. This damages the retina and prevents it working properly.
As retinopathy frequently has no symptoms until it is well advanced, you may not be aware of changes to the retina until your vision has been impaired. This is why you must have your eyes screened every year.
It is important to remember that retinopathy will damage your vision if left untreated.
Reviewed March 2011
Next review September 2012