### Neovascularization and Diabetic Retinopathy When new blood vessels form in your eye, it's called neovascularization. This can be a sign of an advanced eye disease known as diabetic retinopathy, which is a complication of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in your retina, the part of your eye that detects light and sends signals to your brain. Over time, high blood sugar can cause these blood vessels to break, leak, or become blocked, preventing blood from reaching your retina. To compensate, your body may create new blood vessels, but these new vessels are often weak and prone to leaking or bleeding, which can cloud your vision. If these new blood vessels grow in areas where fluid normally drains from your eye, it can increase eye pressure and damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. This advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy is called proliferative diabetic retinopathy and can result in severe vision loss or blindness. Early symptoms of proliferative diabetic retinopathy include changes in vision. If you notice any vision changes, it's important to see an ophthalmologist immediately. Early intervention with treatments like protein-blocking drugs can help save your vision. Managing diabetes effectively is crucial to reducing the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye exams and controlling blood sugar levels can help prevent or slow the progression of this eye disease.