.png)
RETINAL DISEASE
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of preventable vision loss in working-age adults.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It can progress without noticeable symptoms and, over time, lead to vision loss.¹
Illustrative representation of diabetic retinopathy.
DIABETES AND THE RETINA
The risk of diabetic retinopathy grows over time.
Diabetes is a major global health challenge, and many people with diabetes will develop some degree of diabetic retinopathy over time.
1 in 9
adults worldwide are living with diabetes²
589 MILLION ADULTS IN 2024
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 YEARS OF DIABETES
of people with Type 1 diabetes³
of people with Type 1 diabetes³
HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN REPORTED TO DEVELOP SOME DEGREE OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY.³
THE IMPACT ON VISION
Diabetic retinopathy can affect how you see the world.
As diabetic retinopathy progresses, retinal damage can cause blurred vision, dark spots, floaters and other changes to vision. In advanced disease, it can lead to severe vision loss.¹
NORMAL VISION
VISION AFFECTED BY DR
Illustrative representation. Visual symptoms vary by disease stage and individual.
CURRENT TREATMENT
Effective treatments exist. Treatment challenges remain.
Management of diabetic retinopathy can include control of blood sugar and other cardiovascular risk factors, laser therapy, intravitreal anti-VEGF injections and, in advanced disease, surgery.¹
BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL
LASER TREATMENT
ANTI-VEGF INJECTIONS
SURGERY
TREATMENT BURDEN
Important challenges remain despite advances in treatment.
Not all patients achieve an adequate response to anti-VEGF therapy, and some continue to have persistent disease despite treatment.⁴˒⁵ For patients receiving intravitreal therapy, repeated injections, frequent clinic visits and ongoing monitoring can also contribute to treatment burden.⁵
01 SUBOPTIMAL RESPONSE
Not all patients respond adequately.⁴
02 PERSISTENT DISEASE
Disease activity can remain despite treatment.⁵
03 REPEATED TREATMENT
Anti-VEGF therapy may require repeated intravitreal injections.⁵
04 ONGOING FOLLOW-UP
Regular clinic visits and monitoring may be required.⁵
References
1. National Eye Institute (NIH). Diabetic Retinopathy.
2. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th Edition. 2025.
3. American Diabetes Association. Diabetic Retinopathy. Clinical Diabetes. 2001;19(1):29–32. doi:10.2337/diaclin.19.1.29.
4. Somani S, Koushan K, Shah-Manek B, et al. Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema Non-Responsive to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment in Ontario, Canada. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2023;17:2013–2025. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S399981.
5. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee for Diabetes. 12. Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026. Diabetes Care. 2026;49(Suppl 1):S261–S276. doi:10.2337/dc26-S012.