If retinopathy is detected, more frequent checkups may be necessary. While no single symptom confirms the presence of retinopathy, your doctor is the best one to evaluate its significance. Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy Since the early 1970's, tremendous strides have been made in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The most important breakthrough was the discovery that lasers can reduce the risk of visual loss caused by retinopathy. This form of treatment has been proven to reduce the chance of severe visual loss by 60 percent in people with retinopathy.
Treatment is given in the proliferative stage to stop symptoms before they start.
Here, the laser seals the blood vessels that are leaking fluids in the macula. The patient sits in a chair and is given a drop of anesthetic in the eye to be treated. Once the surgeon has identified the exact spots where treatment is needed, he uses a foot pedal to direct the laser beam at the retina. The patient sees a brief flash of light. This process is repeated many times.