Retinopathy Retinopathy is the medical term for disease of the retina. People who have had diabetes for many years can develop damage to small blood vessels and organs throughout the body. This is more likely to occur if the diabetes has not been well controlled. One organ that can be affected is the retina, the lining of the back of the eye that senses light and is important for vision. The disease of the retina caused by diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.