Retina Care & Surgery
A diabetes-related eye disease that damages the retina - if untreated, it can lead to severe vision loss or blindness.
Overview & Clinical Approach
Damage to the tiny blood vessels of the retina caused by long-standing or uncontrolled diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye condition where high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels of the retina - the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that sends images to the brain via the optic nerve.
In diabetic patients, prolonged uncontrolled sugar levels cause these vessels to leak fluid, proteins, and fats, or become blocked. If left untreated, Diabetic Retinopathy can lead to severe visual loss or complete blindness.
Maa Nursing Home and NetraJyoti Eyecare Centre offers advanced treatment for this condition.
Common Symptoms
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or patches in the field of vision
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
- Sudden loss of vision due to bleeding in the eye
Primary Causes & Risk Factors
- Long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels
- Prolonged high blood sugar causing microvascular leakage in the retina
Diagnostic Procedures
- Dilated eye examination to evaluate the retina and macular area
- OCT scanning and Fundus Fluorescein Angiography for vascular leakage assessment
Treatment Steps
LASER Photocoagulation Treatment
Safe, painless, day-care LASER procedure to seal leaking vessels and destroy abnormal new blood vessels.
Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections
Targeted injections into the eye to reduce macular edema and clear vitreous fluid accumulation.
Vitrectomy Surgery
Surgical removal of blood-filled vitreous gel and scar tissue in advanced proliferative stages. Recovery usually takes about 2-4 weeks; patients may experience redness, swelling and mild-to-moderate pain in the operated eye along with blurred vision while healing. Post-surgery, the ophthalmologist advises wearing an eye patch for about a day, using prescribed eye drops to reduce swelling and prevent infection, and avoiding driving, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for a few weeks.
How Does Diabetic Retinopathy Progress?
- Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): Early stage where blood vessels leak fluid or blood, get clogged or rupture; vision may still be normal or only mildly affected
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): Advanced stage where the retina grows abnormal new blood vessels (neovascularization) that can bleed inside the eye, cause tractional retinal detachment or neovascular glaucoma
- Diabetic Maculopathy: Fluid rich in fats and cholesterol leaks near the macula, affecting central vision
Eye Complications Due to Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Macular Oedema (DME): Fluid leaks from damaged vessels near the macula, causing blurred central vision
- Neovascular Glaucoma: New abnormal blood vessels grow on the iris and drainage angle, blocking fluid outflow and increasing eye pressure
- Retinal Detachment: Scar tissue pulls the retina away from the back of the eye, causing severe vision loss
Recovery After Vitrectomy Surgery
- Recovery usually takes about 2-4 weeks, with redness, swelling, mild to moderate pain and blurred vision while healing
- An eye patch is usually worn for about a day after surgery
- Prescribed eye drops reduce swelling and prevent infection
- Avoid driving, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for a few weeks
- Rest and follow posture instructions if a gas or air bubble is used inside the eye
- In some cases, silicone oil may be injected into the eye and removed later with a second surgery
Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Prevented?
- Maintaining good blood sugar control as advised by your diabetologist
- Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
- Undergoing regular eye check-ups, even if vision seems normal
- Seeking prompt treatment if any visual changes occur
Key Treatment Benefits
- Comprehensive retinal evaluation and regular 2–4 month screening
- Painless LASER photocoagulation to seal leaking retinal vessels
- Prevention of severe visual impairment, macular edema, and neovascular glaucoma
Consultation for Retina Care & Surgery
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