Types of Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy

Laser photocoagulation

Laser photocoagulation is one of the most common treatments for diabetic retinopathy. In this kind of surgery, short spots of the laser's beam are directed at the retina to seal leaking blood vessels.
The laser beam spots can also be scattered through the sides of the retina to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization) and help seal the retina to the back of the eye. This can help prevent retinal detachment.

Laser surgery can usually be done in the Eye Care Professional's office or outpatient surgery center. Special eye drops will be put in your eyes to numb them (topical anesthesia) to reduce any discomfort during the procedure. You may also have an injection of local anesthesia to numb the entire area around the eye. Often, topical or local anesthesia is all that's needed, but you and your surgeon may decide you need some sedation—medication to make you less anxious—as well.

There is little recuperation needed after laser surgery for diabetic retinopathy.

Laser surgery may require more than one treatment to be effective.

Vitrectomy

If you have very advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachment, your Eye Care Professional may recommend vitrectomy. In vitrectomy, the surgeon removes the blood-filled vitreous and replaces it with a clear solution. This allows light to pass through the clear fluid to the retina, where the images you see are conveyed to the brain.

Vitrectomy is performed in the hospital or outpatient surgery center under local or general anesthesia. You may need to stay in the hospital overnight. The surgeon will use a special microscope to look into your eye, and will perform the procedure using microsurgical instruments.

After vitrectomy surgery to repair a detached retina, you may experience some discomfort. Your Eye Care Professional can give you medication to alleviate this. You may also need to wear an eye patch to protect your eye, and refrain from some activities. Your Eye Care Professional will advise you when you can resume your normal activities.

The type of retinopathy you have, your general health and eye structure will determine the kind of treatment (if any) you need for your condition, and the kind of anesthesia you will have.