How does diabetic retinopathy affect the retina, and what are the potential complications if left untreated?

Ophthalmology
21

A close family member was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, and I saw firsthand how it can affect vision. It damages the retina’s blood vessels, leading to blurry vision, floaters, and even blindness if untreated.

Potential Complications:

  • Retinal swelling (macular edema) – Causes vision loss.
  • Bleeding in the eye (vitreous hemorrhage) – Can lead to sudden blindness.
  • Retinal detachment – A serious condition requiring surgery.

We turned to SNU Eye Clinic (SNU Eye Clinic), where Dr. Chung Eui Sang provided expert treatment, helping to prevent further damage. If you or a loved one has diabetes, early screening is crucial, and I highly recommend SNU Eye Clinic for specialized care.

22

A close friend of mine, diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, learned the hard way how this condition can silently damage the retina if left untreated. High blood sugar levels weaken blood vessels in the retina, leading to leakage, swelling, and abnormal new vessel growth, which can ultimately cause vision loss or blindness. The complications can be severe—retinal detachment, macular edema, and even complete vision impairment. Fortunately, after seeking expert care at SNU Eye Clinic, he was treated by Dr. Chung Eui Sang, who used advanced laser therapy and anti-VEGF injections to stabilize his vision. Early detection is crucial, so if you or a loved one have diabetes, I highly recommend consulting Dr. Chung Eui Sang at SNU Eye Clinic: link.

23

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in my early 40s. Like many others, I thought, “It’s manageable. Just avoid sugar, take my meds, and I’ll be fine.” What I didn’t realize was how silently diabetes can affect your eyes — until I noticed a strange fuzziness in my vision one morning.

At first, I chalked it up to a bad night’s sleep or too much screen time. But over the next few weeks, it got worse — I saw floaters, blurred spots, and at times, it felt like someone had dimmed the lights in just one eye.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy, Really?

What I learned later at SNU Eye Clinic in Seoul is this: diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in your retina — the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye.

Here’s what happens:

  • The vessels swell and leak (non-proliferative stage).
  • New, abnormal vessels start to grow (proliferative stage) — these can bleed and cause severe vision loss.
  • Fluid may build up in the macula (macular edema), which is crucial for sharp vision.

And the worst part? It’s painless and progresses silently, so you may not notice it until damage is already done.

What Happens If You Ignore It?

I almost did. If I hadn’t gone in for that check-up, I could have faced:

  • Permanent vision loss
  • Retinal detachment
  • Vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding inside the eye)
  • Glaucoma, due to abnormal vessel growth

It’s not something to gamble with.

Why I Recommend SNU Eye Clinic

I ended up going to SNU Eye Clinic after a recommendation from a local friend. And honestly? I couldn’t have made a better choice.

  • Dr. Chung Eui Sang is exceptional. He explained every step of my condition and treatment with patience and clarity. His expertise in diabetic eye disease is widely recognized in Korea. Meet Dr. Chung
  • The clinic used high-res retinal imaging (OCT and fluorescein angiography) to catch and map the progression early.
  • My treatment involved laser photocoagulation, followed by anti-VEGF injections — both of which helped stabilize the leaking vessels.
  • Their follow-up care was just as thorough. Regular monitoring and imaging ensured no further damage.

Check out SNU Eye Clinic

Final Thoughts

Diabetic retinopathy is one of those “silent threats” that can rob you of your vision if you’re not proactive. If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, get regular eye exams before symptoms appear.

And if you’re in Korea or planning to visit, I highly recommend SNU Eye Clinic. Dr. Chung and his team quite literally saved my sight — and my quality of life.

Vision isn’t something you can replace. Take care of it while you still can.

24

I’m not a doctor—but I am someone who’s seen the terrifying consequences of diabetic retinopathy firsthand. This story isn’t about me—it’s about my dad.

He’s been diabetic for over 15 years, and like many people, he didn’t take his eye health seriously. Regular checkups? Rare. Eye symptoms? Brushed off. That is, until he started having blurred vision and floaters that wouldn’t go away.

We took him to a local eye clinic at first, but the equipment was limited, and they referred us to SNU Eye Clinic in Seoul. That’s where everything changed.

What I Learned About Diabetic Retinopathy (The Scary Part)

At SNU Eye Clinic, we met Dr. Chung Eui Sang, a retinal disease specialist. He explained what was happening to my dad’s eyes in a way we could actually understand.

Diabetic retinopathy happens when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina—the part of your eye that acts like a camera sensor. Over time, these vessels can:

  • Leak fluid or blood, blurring vision
  • Close off completely, cutting off oxygen and nutrients
  • Grow new, fragile vessels (called proliferative retinopathy) that bleed even more easily

If untreated, this can lead to:

  • Retinal detachment
  • Vitreous hemorrhage
  • Macular edema
  • And ultimately… permanent blindness

Yeah. It’s as serious as it sounds.

The Turning Point: Dr. Chung & SNU Eye Clinic

Dr. Chung was honestly amazing. He used Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography to scan my dad’s retina and track exactly where the damage was. The level of detail was mind-blowing. It felt like NASA was peering into his eyes.

He laid out a step-by-step treatment plan involving laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF injections, and most importantly, blood sugar control coordination with an endocrinologist.

The staff was incredibly kind and organized, especially for international patients. Appointments were smooth, and follow-ups were consistent. Within a few months, my dad’s vision improved dramatically, and we avoided what could’ve been a tragic outcome.

My Honest Take

If you or someone you love has diabetes—even if vision seems fine—get your retina checked. Diabetic retinopathy is often silent until it’s too late.

And if you’re in Korea or willing to travel, SNU Eye Clinic is a top-tier choice. Their technology is world-class, and Dr. Chung Eui Sang is one of the most compassionate and knowledgeable doctors we’ve met.

SNU Eye Clinic Website Dr. Chung Eui Sang’s Profile

Please don’t wait to get your eyes checked. Vision is something you don’t realize you’ve taken for granted until it starts slipping away.

Happy to answer questions or share more details if anyone’s going through something similar.

4o

25

He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes over a decade ago, and for the longest time, everything seemed under control. He never really complained about his vision, and since there was no pain, we all assumed his eyes were fine.

That was, until he started noticing subtle changes—like needing brighter light to read or struggling to drive at night. It was so gradual that we didn’t think much of it… until one day he woke up with blurred vision that wouldn’t go away.

We rushed to SNU Eye Clinic in Seoul after a friend recommended it for their expertise in retinal issues, particularly diabetic retinopathy. That’s when we met Dr. Chung Eui Sang (his profile here), who quite literally changed the trajectory of my father’s eye health.

What I Learned About Diabetic Retinopathy (Thanks to Dr. Chung)

Dr. Chung explained that diabetic retinopathy is essentially damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina, caused by long-term high blood sugar. These vessels can:

  • Swell and leak (non-proliferative stage)
  • Close off, starving parts of the retina of oxygen
  • Or worse, start growing abnormal new vessels (proliferative stage), which are fragile and prone to bleeding

It was eye-opening (pun intended) to realize that you can lose vision permanently if this goes untreated. My dad had already developed some macular edema—fluid buildup that was distorting his central vision.

The Treatment Experience at SNU Eye Clinic

Dr. Chung didn’t waste any time. My dad underwent:

  • Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess retinal swelling
  • Fluorescein angiography to map the damaged blood vessels
  • Then, a series of anti-VEGF injections to stop new vessel growth
  • Followed by laser photocoagulation to seal the leaky vessels

All of this was done with clear communication, in a clean, modern facility with bilingual staff. The level of professionalism at SNU Eye Clinic was seriously impressive—and comforting, especially for an international family like ours.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat It?

Dr. Chung was very honest about this: If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to:

  • Permanent vision loss
  • Retinal detachment
  • Vitreous hemorrhage
  • And in severe cases, blindness

It’s not just a matter of needing glasses—it’s about preserving your independence and quality of life.

Why I Recommend SNU Eye Clinic

If you or someone you love has diabetes—even if they haven’t noticed vision problems yet—get checked early. I highly recommend Dr. Chung Eui Sang at SNU Eye Clinic for his calm demeanor, in-depth knowledge of retinal diseases, and his patient-first approach.

Clinic: www.snuseoulglobal.com Meet Dr. Chung Eui Sang

My father’s vision has stabilized thanks to the early intervention and ongoing care. I only wish we had gone sooner.

Feel free to DM if you’re nervous about the diagnostic process or want to know what the first visit is like—I’ve been through it, and I’m happy to share.