The longer diabetic retinopathy goes untreated, the greater your risk of permanent vision loss.
If you have early or mild- to moderate NPDR, you may not need treatment immediately. Still, your eye doctor will probably want to monitor your condition closely with regular eye exams. (3)
A diagnosis of severe NPDR or PDR will most likely require immediate surgery.
Because diabetes is a lifelong condition, additional retinal damage and vision loss are possible even after surgery. You should continue to get routine eye exams to monitor your condition.
Also, ask your endocrinologist about ways to improve your diabetes management plan. Effective blood sugar control can usually slow the progression of mild- to moderate diabetic retinopathy.
Surgery Options
Surgical options for advanced diabetic retinopathy include:
Injections into the eye Medications called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors can be used to help stop the growth of new blood vessels and improve vision. Most people who receive these injections will need to get them for at least three months. Over time, some people may need to get them less often or may no longer need them at all, but others will need to continue in order to protect their vision. (1)
Focal laser surgery This surgery attempts to stop or reduce the leaking of blood or fluid into the eye by burning — and sealing — the damaged blood vessels.
Also called photocoagulation, this is usually done in your doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure during a single session.
The procedure may or may not restore your vision to normal, but it should prevent your condition from worsening.
Scatter laser surgery This surgery uses lasers to burn the damaged blood vessels so that they shrink.
This procedure may require more than one application, and your vision may be blurry for a day or more after each session.
You may also experience loss of peripheral vision or night vision after the procedure.
Vitrectomy This surgery involves making a tiny incision in the eye to remove blood from the vitreous fluid, as well as any scar tissue that may cause retinal detachment.
