The back of the eye is called the retina. One of the most devastating complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy happens when blood vessels start to get leaky Ð whether itÕs blood products or actually fluid leaking into the retina, the retina wonÕt work right. It can get swollen, it can get traction from fibrovascular tissue forming in the back of the eye. Retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness.