Retinal Diseases

Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

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Diabetic retinopathy refers to damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. These blood vessels are often affected by the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes. Nearly half of people with diabetes have some degree of diabetic retinopathy.

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is most common type. It is the early stage of the disease, and symptoms are often mild or nonexistent. However, blurred vision may occur from swelling of the retina. This swelling occurs because the damaged blood vessels can ooze fluid. In proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), the more advanced form of the disease, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina or into the vitreous cavity. These new vessels may bleed into the vitreous, clouding or blocking vision; in addition, the blood vessels can pull on the retina leading to retinal detachment.

To treat diabetic retinopathy, the ophthalmologist may recommend macular photocoagulation for retinal swelling or panretinal photocoagulation for PDR. Laser treatments create small burns on the retina to prevent more vision loss. In some cases, a surgery (vitrectomy) may be performed to clear the cavity of the eye of blood or tissue that can cloud vision. For more details on these treatments, please see Treatment Options.

At Mayo Clinic, ophthalmologists also work closely with diabetic patients' physicians to ensure that proper diabetes care is prescribed and implemented. The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are closely tied to diabetes; if the underlying diabetes is carefully controlled, the progression of the retinopathy can be greatly slowed. Mayo's commitment to total patient care allows doctors to confer on the best approach to treatment.