Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a serious eye condition that affects individuals with diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Over time, this damage can lead to vision impairment and, in severe cases, blindness.

There are two main stages of DR: non-proliferative (NPDR) and proliferative (PDR). In the non-proliferative stage, the blood vessels in the retina are weakened, while in the proliferative stage, new, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow on the retina, which can cause further complications and vision loss.