Part of the management of diabetic retinopathy may include fluorescein angiography , which is a dye injection test where dye is injected into the vein of the arm of the patient and pictures are taken of the circulation of the retina in one or both eyes. This gives Dr. Moscoso important information about the status of the diabetic retinopathy. In certain individuals where the diabetic retinopathy is advanced, a vitrectomy surgery may be indicated to remove the scar tissue, blood, or reattach the retina if it has been detached. With proper, routine eye examinations and prompt treatment, loss of vision may be prevented or diminished. The best treatment, however, is to maintain blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
Exercise also is of great benefit.
The lower the initial visual acuity reading is, the greater the risk of severe visual loss. The more macular edema that is seen in the eye, the higher the chances of having severe visual loss. History of neuropathy increases the likelihood of having severe visual loss from diabetes. In men, this would be equal to a hematocrit less than 45, and in females, it is a hematocrit less than 40. Treating anemia by your primary care doctor is very important in diabetics.