Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Specialized retinal care for diabetes-related eye complications to prevent vision loss and preserve eye health.
Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy Care
At Aryavart Eye Hospital, we provide comprehensive diabetic retinopathy management using the latest retinal imaging and treatment technologies. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious diabetes complication that affects blood vessels in the retina. With timely intervention and proper management, we can prevent vision loss and preserve your sight.
Why Diabetic Eye Screening is Crucial
Silent Progression
Early stages often have no symptoms - regular screening detects problems before vision loss
Diabetes Duration Risk
80% of diabetics develop retinopathy after 20 years - earlier screening saves vision
Blood Sugar Connection
Poor glycemic control accelerates retinopathy - regular monitoring is essential
Preventable Blindness
90% of diabetes-related blindness preventable with early detection and treatment
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Microaneurysms appear as small bulges in retinal blood vessels. No vision symptoms yet.
Blood Vessel Damage
Blood vessels swell and distort, losing ability to transport blood. Some vessels become blocked.
Extensive Blockage
More blood vessels become blocked, depriving retina of blood supply. Macular edema may develop.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
New fragile blood vessels grow on retina. These can bleed, causing vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment.
Advanced Diagnostic Imaging
Fundus Photography
Color photographs of retina to document changes and track progression over time
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
Cross-sectional retinal imaging to detect macular edema and measure retinal thickness
Fluorescein Angiography
Dye test to evaluate blood flow in retina, detect leaking vessels and ischemia
Widefield Imaging
Ultra-widefield retinal photos to visualize peripheral retina often affected early
Advanced Treatment Options
Prevention & Diabetes Management
Blood Sugar Control
Maintain HbA1c below 7% - reduces retinopathy risk by 76%
Blood Pressure Management
Keep BP below 130/80 mmHg - prevents retinal vessel damage
Cholesterol Control
Manage lipid levels - reduces macular edema risk
Annual Eye Exams
Comprehensive dilated eye exam every year without fail
Diabetic Retinopathy FAQs
Type 1 diabetes: First exam 5 years after diagnosis, then annually.
Type 2 diabetes: Comprehensive exam at diagnosis, then annually.
Pregnant diabetics: Exam in first trimester, then as recommended.
Existing retinopathy: More frequent exams (every 3-12 months based on severity).
Remember: More frequent exams if blood sugar is poorly controlled or retinopathy is progressing.
Early stages of diabetic retinopathy can often be reversed with excellent blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control. However, once significant damage has occurred (proliferative retinopathy or macular edema), it cannot be fully reversed but can be stabilized and further vision loss prevented with treatment. Laser treatment, injections, and surgery can prevent progression but cannot restore vision already lost. This is why early detection through regular screening is so critical.
Early stages: Usually NO symptoms - that's why screening is essential.
As it progresses: Blurred or fluctuating vision, dark or empty areas in vision, difficulty seeing at night, impaired color vision, spots or floaters (dark strings or spots), sudden vision loss.
Emergency symptoms: Sudden appearance of many floaters, flashes of light, curtain-like shadow over visual field - these may indicate retinal detachment and require immediate medical attention.
Anti-VEGF injections are performed under topical anesthesia (numbing eye drops) so you shouldn't feel pain during the injection. You may feel slight pressure or a brief pinching sensation. The procedure takes only a few minutes. After the injection, you might experience mild discomfort, irritation, or temporary blurry vision for a few hours. Serious complications are rare (less than 1%). Most patients tolerate the injections well, and the vision benefits typically far outweigh the temporary discomfort.
Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy is primarily preventive, not restorative. Its main goals are to:
1. Stop progression of retinopathy
2. Prevent further vision loss
3. Reduce risk of severe complications like retinal detachment
4. Stabilize vision
Laser doesn't typically improve vision that's already lost, but it can prevent additional loss. In some cases of macular edema, focal laser may improve vision slightly. The treatment may cause some peripheral vision loss or difficulty with night vision, but these trade-offs are acceptable to preserve central vision.