Diabetic retinopathy is initially treated with lasers, a procedure known as photocoagulation. In this procedure a laser beam (high-energy light beam) is applied in small bursts onto the damaged retina. This treatment is designed to maintain vision, not improve it, and is highly effective in most patients. Blindness is prevented in at least one eye of 80-90% of cases.

There are 2 laser techniques according to the type of retinopathy:

• Maculopathy requires laser treatment around the macula at the centre of the retina to seal the leaking blood vessels
• With proliferative retinopathy, extensive laser treatment to the starved retina is undertaken. The new vessels then shrink and this reduces the long-term chance of haemorrhage, retinal detachment and severe visual loss.

Usually, most of the disease is controlled, but may require more laser treatment. You will have regular eye checks to determine this.

Surgery

In some patients where there has been recurrent bleeding and the vitreous is clouded with blood or a retinal detachment is present, a vitrectomy operation may be necessary.

This is the removal of the vitreous (the jelly like substance which fills the eye) with the help of delicate instruments and an operating microscope. The vitreous is replaced with a clear substance, usually a form of saline, air, gas or silicone fluid. Very fine stitches are used to close the wound and these do not need removal. This exchange of a clear substance for cloudy vitreous allows light to reach the retina again, and can help to restore some vision.

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