Contents
  • Laser Photocoagulation
  • VEGF Inhibitors
  • The Role of Surgery

How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated? A Simple Guide

How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated? A Simple Guide

What's the Process?

Understanding the treatment options for diabetic retinopathy can help you manage your condition better. Here's a breakdown of the procedures involved.
Contents
  • Laser Photocoagulation
  • VEGF Inhibitors
  • The Role of Surgery

Laser Photocoagulation

This common treatment uses laser light to seal or destroy leaking blood vessels in the retina. The procedure is quick, and while it can't restore lost vision, it can prevent further loss. It's especially effective in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular edema.

VEGF Inhibitors

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors are drugs injected into the eye to reduce swelling and slow vision loss. These injections are repeated over time and are often used alongside other treatments. They have shown great success in preserving vision in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects individuals with diabetes, characterized by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina).

The Role of Surgery

In cases where laser treatment and VEGF inhibitors are not enough, surgery may be required. Vitrectomy is a procedure that removes blood and scar tissue from the eye, restoring vision. It's usually considered when other treatments fail to control the damage.

FAQs

What is laser photocoagulation?

It's a laser treatment that seals leaking blood vessels in the retina.

How do VEGF inhibitors work?

They are injected into the eye to reduce swelling and prevent vision loss.

Is surgery necessary for diabetic retinopathy?

Surgery is a last resort when other treatments are ineffective.

Can treatment restore lost vision?

Treatments can't restore lost vision but can prevent further loss.

Treatment Insights

Understanding your treatment options for diabetic retinopathy can empower you to preserve your vision.
Try it out by discussing these treatment options with Doctronic.
Additional References
  1. The efficacy of laser photocoagulation and/or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors in preventing visual loss from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and macular edema (ME) is well established in randomized trials.
  2. Ahmed J, Ward TP, Bursell SE, et al. The sensitivity and specificity of nonmydriatic digital stereoscopic retinal imaging in detecting diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Care 2006; 29:2205.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.