| Normal Retina |
No signs of diabetic retinopathy; retinal blood vessels are healthy. |
- Asymptomatic |
| Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) |
Early-stage retinopathy with microaneurysms (small bulges in retinal blood vessels). |
- Typically asymptomatic.
- May experience mild visual changes (rare).
|
| Moderate NPDR |
Progression of microaneurysms with retinal hemorrhages, hard exudates, and possible macular edema. |
- Blurry vision (if macular edema is present).
- Dark or empty areas in vision (rare).
|
| Severe NPDR |
Significant retinal damage with numerous hemorrhages, venous beading, and intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA). |
- More pronounced visual impairment.
- Risk of progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
|
| Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) |
Advanced stage characterized by neovascularization (growth of new, fragile blood vessels) and potential vitreous hemorrhage. |
- Floaters or spots in vision.
- Severe vision loss or blindness (if untreated).
|
| Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) |
Swelling of the macula due to fluid leakage from damaged blood vessels; can occur at any stage of retinopathy. |
- Blurred or wavy central vision.
- Difficulty reading or recognizing faces.
|