Diabetic retinopathy treatment

Diabetic retinopathy treatment

We treat diabetic retinopathy, which occurs when high blood sugar level causes damage to the retinal vessels. Sometimes abnormal new vessels can grow on the retina. All of these changes impair vision.

For whom?

People with diabetes may be at risk. Diabetic retinopathy may not have any symptoms in the early stages, but identifying early changes can help protect your vision. There are two main stages of diabetic retinopathy.
• Background diabetic retinopathy – small blood vessels leak, causing retinal oedema. If the central area of the retina (macular) swells, it is called macular oedema. (The most common cause of the vision impairment in diabetes). Also, blood vessels can close, with the blood not reaching the macula, which is called macular ischemia.
• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy occurs when abnormal blood vessels begin growing on the retina. This is called neovascularization. These fragile vessels are always bleeding into the vitreous, a clear, gel-like substance which fills the eye, causing minor haemorrhage or total hemophthalmus. Newly formed vessels can form scar tissue, which pull and detach the retina (traction detachment of the retina). Other diabetes-related problems can also cause the vision impairment:
— neovascular glaucoma (when pathological vessels grow and block the drainage system, where fluid flows out of the eye)
— secondary cataract.

How can we help you?

Strict monitoring in the case of diabetes is the best way to prevent blindness. At early stages, it is important to monitor and timely reveal changes in the retina. At later stages, it is very important to start treatment in time, which depends on severity of the changes: we will inject medications into the eye (anti-VEGF), perform laser or surgical treatment.

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition which can lead to vision impairment or even blindness. If your doctor has diagnosed you with diabetes, it is important to have regular examinations by an ophthalmologist.