Diabetic retinopathy laser treatment. what is its goal?

Depends on problem: There are two types of laser used for diabetic retinopathy, one lighter powered laser to decrease swelling, and one stronger powered laser used to cause abnormally growing blood vessels to regress. The blood vessels themselves aren't layered. Instead, laser scarring of the peripheral retina decreases the stimulus that causes those abnormal vessels to grow.

Control diabetes: Best way to treat the disease including diabetic retinopathy is glucose control, hypertension control, and lipid control. Control of a single factor can reduce progression of the disease by 20-50 %. In our diabetes team, rarely do I have to employ lasers, injections because the internal and family medicine doctors are very capable of preventing progression. Goal is hga1c less than 7 in most pt.

Dr IRIZARRY agreed

Retinopathy laser: Take a piece of paper (retina), make a tiny dot in the middle of it. That tiny dot help you see sharp/read. Dm retinopahty likes to attack from the periphery towards that tiny spot like an army. Laser burns, & makes a fence to prevent the advancing retinopathy to reach the dot (macula). Laser is like sand bags when having a flood. So the main thing is to control your diabetes as best as possible.