Diabetic Retinopathy Management

What is diabetic retinopathy?

This happens when diabetes damages the blood vessels in the retina.
Small blood vessels become weak and can:

leak fluid → swelling

bleed → vision becomes cloudy

grow abnormal vessels → leading to retinal detachment

Why does it happen?

Even if sugar is “sometimes okay”, long-term diabetes can slowly affect retina.
Many people don’t feel symptoms early, so it is a “silent” condition.

Stages of diabetic retinopathy
Early stage (Non-proliferative DR)

Mild leaking

Small bleeds

Vision may still be normal

Advanced stage (Proliferative DR)

New abnormal blood vessels grow

High risk of bleeding

Can cause retinal detachment

Treatment options (depending on stage)
✅ Retina injections (Anti-VEGF)

Used for swelling / macular edema

Helps reduce leakage and improve vision

Requires repeat injections in some cases

✅ Laser treatment (PRP Laser)

Used mainly for proliferative DR

Prevents abnormal vessels from growing

Helps reduce bleeding risk

✅ Vitrectomy (if severe)

Used when:

Bleeding doesn’t clear

Severe traction

Advanced retinal detachment

So in Al Abeer retina department, a vitreo-retinal surgeon is very relevant because diabetic retinopathy often needs advanced retina procedures, not just eye drops.