Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for diabetic retinopathy

by Dr. Fanny Renner Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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laser treatment – to treat the growth of new blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina) in cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and to stabilise some cases of maculopathy. eye injections – to treat severe maculopathy that's threatening your sight.

Medication

Aug 25, 2016 · what is the best treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy? The DRS showed that timely pan-retinal photocoagulation of high-risk PDR decreases the risk of severe vision loss by over 50%[ 37 ]. Laser photocoagulation obliterates mid-peripheral areas of ischemic retina, thereby downregulating VEGF synthesis and promoting regression of neovascularization (NV).

Procedures

For diabetic retinopathy that is threatening or affecting your sight, the main treatments are: laser treatment – to treat the growth of new blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina) in cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and to stabilise some cases of maculopathy

Self-care

Sep 21, 2020 · Treatment methods for diabetic retinopathy Anti-VEGF medications Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) treatments block the production of the VEGF protein. When VEGF is present in the retina at high levels, it can cause the retinal blood vessels to leak blood fluid, and increase the production of abnormal blood vessels.

Nutrition

Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, called laser photocoagulation, works in part by creating tiny, painless retinal burns that seal off leaking vessels and reduce swelling. The number of burns the doctor makes and the number of treatments you need depend on the type and extent of your retinopathy and how well it responds to treatment.

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Jan 21, 2017 · Your ophthalmologist can directly treat retinopathy with a laser or a surgical procedure called vitrectomy, to prevent further vascular changes and preserve vision. Don't be surprised if your...

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Oct 07, 2021 · FDA-approved steroids for retinopathy include: Ozurdex (dexamethasone intravitreal implant) Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant)

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What's the most effective therapy for diabetic retinopathy?

Anti-VEGF [anti-vascular endothelial growth factor] therapy is now the mainstay standard of care for most patients with diabetes. In fact, the FDA recently approved the use of anti-VEGF medications for all forms of diabetic retinopathy.Dec 24, 2019

Can diabetic retinopathy get better?

In more-severe cases, blood can fill the vitreous cavity and completely block your vision. Vitreous hemorrhage by itself usually doesn't cause permanent vision loss. The blood often clears from the eye within a few weeks or months. Unless your retina is damaged, your vision will likely return to its previous clarity.Jun 24, 2021

How effective are treatments for diabetic retinopathy?

From the Clinical Trials Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Md. ANALYSIS of data from four decades of clinical research demonstrates that currently recommended treatments are considerably more effective in preventing blindness from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) than has been previously appreciated.Mar 10, 1993

What treatments are available for diabetic retinopathy?

Depending on the specific problems with your retina, options might include:Injecting medications into the eye. These medications, called vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, are injected into the vitreous of the eye. ... Photocoagulation. ... Panretinal photocoagulation. ... Vitrectomy.Jun 24, 2021

Can you stop diabetic retinopathy from progressing?

When diabetic retinopathy gets to be severe, new blood vessels that grow can be weak and prone to bursting. To prevent that, eye surgeons can use laser surgery to stop their growth and stabilize disease progression.Jan 31, 2020

Can you reverse retinopathy?

While it won't undo any damage to your vision, treatment can stop your vision from getting worse. It's also important to take steps to control your diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Injections. Medicines called anti-VEGF drugs can slow down or reverse diabetic retinopathy.

Are there any new treatments for diabetic retinopathy?

NovaGo Therapeutics is developing a first-in-class fully human antibody therapy to treat diabetic retinopathy. With its novel disease-modifying mode of action, it could save the sight of the many patients who respond poorly to current treatments.

Can glasses help with retinopathy?

Award-Winning Glasses For Diabetic Retinopathy eSight is an assistive device that can help people with Diabetic Retinopathy experiencing central vision loss.Mar 16, 2022

Can eye drops help diabetic retinopathy?

Twice-daily eye drops containing neuroprotective agents could be used successfully to treat diabetic retinopathy, research suggests. In a two-year trial the specialist drops were compared to placebo drops and shown to significantly slow the progression of neurodegeneration (decrease in nerve function) of the retina.Oct 2, 2017

How long does it take to go blind from diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). It can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated. However, it usually takes several years for diabetic retinopathy to reach a stage where it could threaten your sight.

How long should eye floaters last?

Depending on the initial size, it can take some floaters anywhere from one to six months to disappear. However, some may never disappear completely. In addition to the recommended annual eye examination, you should contact an optometrist immediately if floaters show up in your field of vision.Jul 12, 2020

Does laser surgery cure diabetic retinopathy?

Laser treatment is used to treat new blood vessels at the back of the eyes in the advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy. This is done because the new blood vessels tend to be very weak and often cause bleeding into the eye.

What is the best treatment for diabetic retinopathy?

An anti-VEGF medicine, such as aflibercept (Eyelea) or ranibizumab (Lucentis), might be used if the macula has been damaged by macular edema. Steroids may be injected into the eye.

What is the treatment for proliferative retinopathy?

Severe proliferative retinopathy may be treated with a more aggressive laser therapy called scatter (pan-retinal) photocoagulation. It allows your doctor to limit the growth of new blood vessels across the back of your retina. Laser treatments may not always work in treating proliferative retinopathy.

What is the procedure to remove vitreous gel?

Surgical removal of the vitreous gel (vitrectomy). This surgery may help improve vision if the retina hasn't been severely damaged. It's done when there is bleeding (vitreous hemorrhage) or retinal detachment. These two problems are rare in people with early-stage retinopathy.

Is it important to control blood sugar?

Controlling your blood sugar levels is always important. This is true even if you've been treated for diabetic retinopathy and your eyes are better. In fact, good blood sugar control is even more important in this case. It can help keep retinopathy from getting worse.

What is the purpose of anti-VEGF?

Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) or an anti-inflammatory medicine. Anti-VEGF medicines slow the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. This growth is triggered by a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Anti-VEGF medicines block the effects of VEGF.

Is there a cure for diabetic retinopathy?

There is no cure for diabetic retinopathy. But treatment works very well to prevent, delay, or reduce vision loss. The sooner the condition is found, the easier it is to treat. And it's more likely that vision will be saved. Controlling your blood sugar levels is always important.

What is the treatment for retinal damage?

Lasers therapy . Laser treatment generally targets the damaged tissues of the eyes including the retina. Laser therapies offer more effective results in the management of retinopathies as the rays can directly work on the damaged retinal tissues through spot welding and photocoagulation. [ 1]

What is the best treatment for diabetic macular edema?

Corticosteroid injections. Local injections of corticosteroids directly or in the forms of injectable implants are recommended for the treatment of more severe forms of diabetic retinopathies such as macular edema. In some cases, a combination of laser treatment and steroidal injections may be recommended. Diabetic macular edema occurs ...

What is the role of the macula in vision?

Thus, the resulting boost in the supply of oxygen and nutrients helps to maintain cellular health in the macula, which plays a key role in supporting clarity of vision and color perception. Depending on the specific symptoms and the extent of diabetic retinopathy, the ophthalmologist may advise patients to opt for grid laser or panretinal laser ...

Can a laser treatment cause macular edema?

In some cases, a combination of laser treatment and steroidal injections may be recommended. Diabetic macular edema occurs when the diabetic retinopathy worsens due to the exposure to cytokines released by the immune cells. Cytokines cause inflammation in the retina thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of macular edema.

Can diabetics have vitrectomy?

Patients diagnosed with proliferative diabetic retinopathy due to vitreous hemorrhage can achieve better results with surgical treatments like vitrectomy. Laser photocoagulation therapy is not suitable for these patients as the blood can obscure the view of the retina during surgery. [ 4]

Can diabetic retinopathy cause blindness?

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications caused by diabetes. If left untreated, it may affect the eyesight of the patient resulting in blindness. The latest scientific research studies have led to improved outcomes in the management of this condition.

How to treat diabetic retinal retinopathy?

For diabetic retinopathy that is threatening or affecting your sight, the main treatments are: laser treatment – to treat the growth of new blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina) in cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and to stabilise some cases of maculopathy. eye injections – to treat severe maculopathy that's threatening your ...

Why do you need laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy?

This is done because the new blood vessels tend to be very weak and often cause bleeding into the eye.

What is the treatment for maculopathy?

eye injections – to treat severe maculopathy that's threatening your sight. eye surgery – to remove blood or scar tissue from the eye if laser treatment isn't possible because retinopathy is too advanced.

Why do diabetics give anti-VEGF?

In some cases of diabetic maculopathy, injections of a medicine called anti-VEGF may be given directly into your eyes to prevent new blood vessels forming at the back of the eyes.

What happens if you get a blood clot in your eye?

floaters or a feeling of having something in your eye. watery or dry, itchy eyes. There's also a risk that the injections could cause blood clots to form, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke. This risk is small, but it should be discussed with you before you give your consent to treatment.

How long does it take for a laser to work on your eyes?

normally takes around 20-40 minutes.

What is the procedure to remove vitreous humor?

Eye surgery. Surgery may be carried out to remove some of the vitreous humour from the eye. This is the transparent, jelly-like substance that fills the space behind the lens of the eye. The operation, known as vitreoretinal surgery, may be needed if: a large amount of blood has collected in your eye.

Without proper treatment, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss and even blindness

Diabetic retinopathy occurs in four stages and can progress rapidly if not treated and monitored properly. Treatment of this sight-threatening disease may include different methods, depending on the stage of the disease.

Treatment methods for diabetic retinopathy

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) treatments block the production of the VEGF protein. When VEGF is present in the retina at high levels, it can cause the retinal blood vessels to leak blood fluid, and increase the production of abnormal blood vessels.

What can you do at home?

Successful treatment of diabetic retinopathy not only involves surgical procedures and medications, but also requires your participation as well.

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Treatment

Alternative Medicine

Coping and Support

Preparing For Your Appointment

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Mild and moderate cases do not require immediate treatment but are monitored and careful management of diabetes is advised. Advanced cases need treatment which may be either medical or surgical.
Medication

Intravitreal anti-VEGF injection: To prevent growth of abnormal blood vessels. Especially when central vision is getting affected.

Ranibizumab . Bevacizumab . Aflibercept


Glucocorticoids: Given in the form of injection or injected as an implant for continuous sustained release of the drug to reduce macular edema and if anti VEGFs are proving ineffective.

Triamcinolone acetonide

Procedures

Laser treatment: Abnormal blood vessels are shrunk by the use of heat from a laser.

Vitrectomy: Surgical removal of the clear, jelly-like substance (vitreous gel) that fills the inside of the eye to relieve traction of the vitreous gel on the retina that may cause its detachment which may lead to blindness.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Diet modification- Eating a diabetic diet that decreases fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
  • Exercise- This will help in keep the blood sugars within the normal range hence complications will not occur. - Regular self blood sugar monitoring to minimise fluctuations and ensure good control of blood sugar with ongoing medications. If uncontrolled, patients should seek increase in dosage of hypoglycemia medications from medical practitioner.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Gluten-free intake such as fruit, vegetables, pulses, fish etc.
  • Low sugar/carbohydrate diet such as lean meats,fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables etc.
  • Foods rich in vitamin to improve immunity

Foods to avoid:

  • Reduce dairy products such as cheese, high fat butter
  • Avoid refined sugars

Specialist to consult

Ophthalmologist
Specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes.
Endocrinologist
Specializes in the function and disorders of the endocrine system of the body.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

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