Diabetic Retinopathy Data and Statistics

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.

Hispanic Americans age 50 and older are at high risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. Among people age 75 and older, 19 percent of Hispanic Americans had the disease in 2010, compared with seven percent of blacks and whites.

In 2010, Hispanic Americans age 50 and older had the highest rates of diabetic retinopathy (eight percent) compared with a five percent prevalence rate in blacks and whites.

In 2012, the majority (68 percent) of Americans with diabetic retinopathy were white. Hispanic Americans accounted for 16 percent of cases and black Americans accounted for 11 percent.

Diabetic retinopathy affects men and women about equally. In 2010, 51 percent of U.S. cases occurred in women compared with 49 percent in men.

From 2010 to 2050, the number of Americans with diabetic retinopathy is expected to nearly double, from 7.7 million to 14.6 million. Hispanic Americans are expected to see the greatest increase in cases, rising more than three-fold from 1.2 million to 5.3 million.

From 2000 to 2010, the number of cases of diabetic retinopathy increased 89 percent from 4.06 million to 7.69 million.