Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition caused when high blood sugar levels damage the cells in the retina. This can happen if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause serious damage to your eyesight or blindness. There are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy so you may not realise that you have it.
In Scotland, diabetic eye screening is offered to people aged 12 and over with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Further information on this service can be found on NHS Inform.
If you have diabetes and have any concerns at all about your eyes or vision, don't wait for your screening appointment. You can book a free NHS-funded eye examination to be seen at a community optometry practice (opticians) at any time.