Treatment depends on the stage and severity of the disease. The goal is to stabilize, prevent progression, and, in some cases, reverse damage.

Nonproliferative Retinopathy Treatment

In early stages (mild to early severe), treatment may not be necessary unless DME is present. Close monitoring is essential.

Diabetic Macular Edema Treatment

Traditionally, retinal laser photocoagulation was used to seal leaky vessels. This may still be used to stabilize vision, reducing the risk of further loss by up to 50%. However, improvement in vision is less common.

Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections and steroid implants are now the first-line treatments for most patients with DME, offering less tissue damage and greater visual potential than laser alone.

Proliferative Retinopathy Treatment

Advanced stages are treated with scatter laser photocoagulation to shrink abnormal blood vessels. This involves placing 1,000–2,000 laser spots in the peripheral retina, often requiring multiple sessions.

While side effects may include decreased night vision or peripheral vision, this treatment is vital to prevent further vision loss.

Anti-VEGF injections may be used alongside or instead of laser treatment, depending on the specific case.

When Surgery Is Needed: Vitrectomy

If bleeding into the vitreous (vitreous hemorrhage) does not clear, or if a retinal detachment occurs, a vitrectomy may be necessary. This surgical procedure involves removing the vitreous gel, clearing any blood, and carefully removing scar tissue from the retina’s surface to restore or preserve vision.