Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy surgery are the best options for diabetic retinopathy treatment. These treatments are most effective when diabetic retinopathy is detected early, so it’s important for diabetics to have routine eye exams.

Laser Photocoagulation

Laser photocoagulation may be performed to seal damaged or abnormal blood vessels and prevent them from leaking. This diabetic retinopathy treatment does not restore lost vision, but it can prevent further deterioration, which is why early diabetic retinopathy diagnosis through routine eye exams is imperative.

There are two ways laser photocoagulation can be performed, depending on the condition of the eye and the type of macular edema present. In the case of focal macular edema, where the blood vessels are leaking from specific points within the eye, the doctor will use the laser to seal the blood vessels. In the case of diffuse macular edema, where the leaking is more widespread, the doctor will perform a grid laser photocoagulation treatment over a general area.

The Laser Photocoagulation Procedure

Your forehead and chin will first be placed in a slit lamp. This device is a microscope which uses a line of light, or a slit, to assist your doctor in clearly viewing the portions of the eye which will be operated on. Next, your doctor will place a specially designed contact lens over your cornea. This will help the laser focus on the retina. You may see flashes of bright light throughout the procedure.

Laser photocoagulation is an outpatient procedure. You will be able to go home afterward, but you will need to arrange for transportation, as you will not be able to drive immediately following surgery. In fact, for about 24 hours after your procedure, your vision may be hazy or blurry.

Because laser photocoagulation involves tiny burns to seal the capillaries, small spots may appear in your field of vision after the procedure. These small spots generally fade and disappear with time. If your vision was blurry prior to the laser photocoagulation procedure, you may not completely recover clear vision.

Even when the laser photocoagulation procedure successfully repairs the leaking blood vessels, new leaks may occur. For this reason, it is imperative that diabetic retinopathy patients control their blood sugar and have frequent eye examinations from a qualified ophthalmologist.

Vitrectomy Surgery

Sometimes, a vitreous hemorrhage can clear up on its own. If vision does not improve, vitrectomy surgery may be necessary. A vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove the clouded vitreous gel in the center of the eye. The gel is replaced with a solution that is similar to the makeup of healthy, clear vitreous matter. This diabetic retinopathy treatment has a very high success rate for improving vision.

Vitrectomy surgery may also be used to remove scar tissue remaining as a result of retinal detachment. Once the scar tissue is no longer pulling on the retina, the retina will usually settle back into place and flatten out, which will improve vision.

The Vitrectomy Procedure

Vitrectomies can be performed under local or general anesthesia. During vitrectomy surgery, your surgeon will first remove the blood-clouded vitreous gel from your eye. The vitreous tissue is then cut and removed one piece at a time and replaced with a special salt solution in order to maintain the eye's proper shape and pressure. The inside of the eye is illuminated, and the surgeon views the eye through a microscope.

In the case of a severely detached retina, it may be necessary to inject expandable gas into the eye during vitrectomy surgery. The expanding gas bubble pushes against the retina, helping it reattach. Patients must often lie face-down for two to four days until the gas bubble dissipates.

After vitrectomy surgery, your eye will be swollen, red, and light-sensitive. You will need to wear an eye patch for a few days. The application of medicated eye drops will help your eye heal. A complete recovery will often take weeks.

During vitrectomy surgery, a laser may be used to perform photocoagulation across the surface of the retina. This photocoagulation helps to prevent the formation of scar tissue and bleeding, and may also prevent the future growth of abnormal blood vessels.

Find a Diabetic Retinopathy Specialist in Your Area

Contact an ophthalmologist in your area to learn more about laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy surgery as diabetic retinopathy treatment options.

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