Diabetic macular edema

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) can lead to diabetic macular edema (DME), which is a complication of diabetic retinopathy. This happens when the macula—the area of the retina that gives you sharp central vision—swells with the blood and fluid leaked from damaged blood vessels throughout the progression of DR. When the fluid gets into this area, the damage enters a critical area of your eye for sight, and changes to your vision can occur.

The symptoms of DME can include blurriness in the center of vision, straight lines that look wavy, and colors that look dull or washed out.

It's important to know: diabetic macular edema can actually happen at any stage of diabetic retinopathy, and may lead to vision loss - or even blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema can put your vision at risk. That’s why getting your eyes checked annually, or as often as your eye care specialist recommends, is so important.