Are there different types of diabetic retinopathy?
Two major types exist: Background and Proliferative. Background diabetic retinopathy occurs when the retina’s small blood vessels become damaged. Signs include microaneurysms (tiny bulges in the vessels), cytoid bodies (also called cotton-wool spots) and bleeding within the retina. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the abnormal growth of blood vessels on the optic nerve, the retina or the jelly-like vitreous inside the eyeball. These blood vessels may cause sudden loss of vision if they bleed into the eyeball. Retinal detachment, which can require surgery, also may occur with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
