Diabetic retinopathy can often be successfully treated, when caught early. However, damage can be irreversible in many cases. For this reason, it is important that patients with diabetes follow up with an ophthalmologist as prescribed, so as to diagnose and treat any problems early.

Treatments for diabetic retinopathy usually involve a form of laser therapy. Variations include:

• Focal laser photocoagulation. A laser beam is used to make tiny burns in and around the macula (central part of the retina providing sharp vision) to seal leaking blood vessels. It is used for a condition called clinically significant macular edema (CSME), in which the leakage from macular blood vessels encroaches on the fovea (center of the macula). CSME can occur in nonproliferative retinopathy or in proliferative retinopathy.
  

  

• Scatter photocoagulation. Also called pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP), this consists of using an argon (green wavelength) laser to make thousands of burns in a polka-dot pattern in the retina in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This can keep new blood vessels from growing. The procedure reduces the risk of blindness from vitreous hemorrhage or retinal detachment by eliminating retina which is used less, and allowing more blood flow to the remaining central retina. It is most effective if proliferative diabetic retinopathy has not advanced too far.

Some patients may benefit from vitrectomy, which is performed when bleeding in the eye is not controlled with laser, or laser cannot be applied because of blood blocking the ophthalmologist’s view of the retina. In this procedure, blood, the vitreous humor and scar tissue are surgically removed from the eye. A tiny laser called an endophotocoagulator can also be used to perform PRP during the surgery.

Some patients report soreness, redness or irritation in the eye after laser procedures. Temporarily blurred vision also is not unusual. PRP may result in a decrease in peripheral and/or night vision.

In severe cases of diabetic retinopathy, the retina may become detached. This can cause blindness. However, the retina can sometimes be reattached to the back of the eye through vitrectomy surgery.

Medication may also become a treatment option. For more information, see Ongoing research.