DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is damage to the eye's retina that occurs with long-term Diabetes.See also:Type 1 diabetesType 2 diabetesAlternative NamesRetinopathy - diabetic; Photocoagulation - retinaCauses, incidence, and risk factorsDiabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.There are two types, or stages of retinopathy: Nonproliferative or proliferativeNonproliferative diabetic retinopathy develops first. Blood vessels in the eye become larger in certain spots (called microaneurysms). Blood vessels may also become blocked. There may be small amounts of bleeding (retinal hemorrhages), and fluid may lea