Diabetes (a disease caused by reduced production, or lack of insulin leading to increased blood glucose levels) can affect various parts of the eye, one of which is the retina that corresponds to the inner lining of the fundus of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is the damage of small (capillaries) vessels in the retina.
Diabetic retinopathy concerns all diabetics, whether insulin dependent (Type 1) of a young age or are non-insulin-dependent (Type 2) and present the disease at an older age.