Diabetic Retinopathy DR progresses through 4 stagesmild nonproliferative retinopathy (microaneurysms) moderate nonproliferative retinopathy (blockage in some retinal vessels) proliferative retinopathy (most advanced stage) severe nonproliferative retinopathy (deprives retina from blood supply leading to growing new blood vessels) (Note-Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.