Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Almost 50% of all people suffering from diabetes would also be affected diabetic retinopathy, an eye disorder that affects the blood vessels which are responsible for a healthy retina. The enhanced level of blood sugar in diabetic patients affect these capillaries. The onset of diabetic retinopathy manifests itself with slight problems of vision. But if neglected, the ailment can lead to blindness.

If you can help in its early detection, diagnosis and treatment, future complications, including the risk of blindness can be avoided. One of the first steps of course is to keep the levels of blood sugar, pressure and cholesterol under manageable limits. Before we understand modalities of diabetic retinopathy treatment, it is important to know that there are essentially two types of the disorder. One that is common with hardly any perceptible symptoms is called the non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or NPDR. This occurs during the preliminary stages of the disease. When the blood vessels grow abnormally in the regiuon of the retina, it is said to 'proliferate' or multiply, during the advanced stage of the disease, it is then called proliferative diabetic retinopathy or PDR.

Photocoagulation and vitrectomy are the two options of diabetic retinopathy treatment. While neither of these treatment options can offer complete remedy, they can hinder or arrest further development of the disease. Even if you do not suffer from any symptom now, since diabetes, unless controlled, continue to affect the different parts of our bodies and we will go through conditions like damage of the retina or loss of vision sooner or later.

Photocoagulation involves the use of laser technology to arrest any leaky blood vessel. Your doctor will decide to choose this treatment option depending on the type of diabetic retinopathy you have and the condition of your eyes and vision. This form of treatment is chosen if you have a kind of inflammation which affects the macula area, if you are suffering from a serious condition of NPDR or PDR and you are an insulin-dependent diabetic (type 2). Before the surgery, your eyes will be numbed by anesthesia. The operation can be performed in the doctors' chamber or in the outpatient clinic.

The vitrectomy procedure is applicable when there is serious bleeding in the vitreous. There are times when the bleeding stops automatically. But when it does not, vitrectomy may help in the restoration of lost vision. Vitrectomy also permits the doctor to perform laser treatment on the affected eyes. Bloody tissues filling the vitreous are gently removed and the ensuing gaps filled with saline solution to retain the necessary shape and structure of the eye. Vitrectomy is usually performed with either general or local anesthesia.