Diabetic retinopathy is a disorder of the lining of the back of the eye called the retina. The retina functions like the film of a camera and allows images to be focused and transmitted to the brain. The vasculature is affected by diabetes and can result in blindness if retinopathy goes undetected. Two types of retinopathy develop form diabetes, background and proliferative. The background type results in swelling of the very center of the retina and can lead to loss of sight. Proliferative retinopathy is a more serious condition which may require laser and/or intraocular treatment.