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Diabetic
Disease of the Retina
How can this disease be treated?
Swelling of the central part of the retina may be
controlled with limited laser treatments. Sometimes one
laser session will suffice, though some patients require
several sessions. Abnormal blood vessel sprouts require
extensive laser treatment involving 2,000 to 3,000 laser
spots, i.e., three or more laser sessions. More acute
problems with severe bleeding or retinal detachment require
surgery such as scleral buckling or vitrectomy or both.
What are the results of the treatment?
Limited laser treatment in the central zone of the
retina is designed to reduce the amount of future visual
loss, but the lost vision cannot be restored.
Extensive laser treatment for fragile blood vessel sprouts
usually prevents a large bleed within the eye, thereby
preventing major loss of vision.
Vision loss from severe bleeding in the eye or retinal
detachment can usually be improved with surgery, but some
patients may not respond to the treatment.
Because we have as yet no cure for diabetes, it may continue
to damage the retina even after laser treatment or even if
the blood sugar level is controlled. Patients with diabetic
retinopathy need life-long regular follow-up after
treatment.
What are the complications of the treatment?
Most patients do not have any complications but,
occasionally, laser treatment may cause temporary pain or
blurred vision since the effect of the treatment is seen
only 4-6 weeks later. Mild or severe haemorrhage or retinal
detachment can also occur. Such complications are
occasionally seen after major eye operations and very rarely
may lead to loss of all vision.
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