Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes thats weakens the blood vessels that supply nourishment to the retina (the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye where vision is focused). When these weak vessels leak, swell, or develop neovascularization (abnormal new blood vessels) vision loss occurs.
Laser surgery can be very helpful for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The decision to use laser depends mostly on the type of diabetic retinopathy , its severity, and a judgment regarding how well it may respond to laser treatment. The physician considers whether treating an eye with laser is more likely to prevent further visual loss than no treatment at all. Even with laser treatment patients may continue to lose vision. But when laser is the right treatment, the chances are that it can prevent further visual loss.
Focal laser may be recommended for patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy with clinically significant macular edema - swelling of the central retina, called the macula. The laser coagulates, or dries up, the fluid that is causing the swelling.
Pan-retinal laser photocoagulation (PRP) may be recommended for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy - abnormal new blood vessels called neovascularization. PRP destroys abnormal blood vessel growth.
Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye. This may be done to: 1. Reduce vision loss caused by bleeding in the vitreous (vitreous hemorrhage) when bleeding is severe of when the blood does not clear on its own after several months. 2. To treat severe proliferative retinopathy that causes scar tissue formation or when neovasularization continues despite repeated laser treatments. 3. To repair or prevent traction retinal detachment.
Vitrectomy is always done by an eye doctor who has special training in treating problems of the retina.
Intraocular steriod injection is a newly emerging treatment for diabetic macular edema. This therapy helps reduce the amount of fluid leaking into the retina, resulting in visual improvement. Due to the chronic nature of diabetic eye disease, this treatment may need to be repeated or combined with laser therapy to obtain maximal effect.
With early detection and modern treatment options the threat of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is far less that ever before.
Ophthalmology website by Glacial Multimedia.