There are two types of diabetic retinopathy:

Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
(NPDR):
This type of diabetic retinopathy is commonly known as background diabetic retinopathy (BDR). It is an early stage of diabetic retinopathy in which tiny blood vessels within the retina leak blood or fluid. The leaking fluid causes the retina to swell or form deposits called exudates.

Many people with diabetes have mild BDR which usually does not affect their vision. When vision is affected, it is the result of macular edema (swelling of the center of the retina, where detailed vision takes place) or macular ischemia (lack of blood flow to the center of the retina).

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR):
PDR is characterized by the development of abnormal blood vessels on the surface of the retina or the optic nerve. The main cause of PDR is widespread closure of retinal blood vessels, preventing adequate blood flow. The retina responds by growing new blood vessels in an attempt to supply blood to the area where the original vessels closed.

Unfortunately, the new blood vessels do not resupply the retina with normal blood flow. The new vessels are often accompanied by scar tissue that may cause wrinkling or detachment of the retina.

PDR may cause more severe vision loss than NPDR because it can affect both central and peripheral vision.

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