Diabetic retinopathy is a common amongst diabetics and is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults under the age of 65. It is estimated that approximately 25% of people with type 1 diabetes will have some form of diabetic retinopathy five to ten years after their symptoms develop. It is important to keep blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control. This drastically reduces the risk of developing retinopathy.  But, your best protection against retinopathy is having your eyes examined regularly, with photography when you are first diagnosed and then every year.