A 30-year-old member asked:
Can diabetic retinopathy be cured?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Edward Meieranswered
Ophthalmology 24 years experience
Yes: Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with a variety of treatments. New treatments have done a much better job of improving vision than older treatments that usually stabilized vision but did not improve it. The best way to prevent retinopathy is to have good control of blood sugars.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Janigiananswered
Ophthalmology 34 years experience
No cure yet: Diabetic retinopathy cannot be cured but can be effectively treated and in the last 10 years the treatments have improved dramatically with new surgical instruments for the small percentage that require surgery and several new medications that can improve macular edema (swelling of the retina) and control bleeding. But there's no substitute for good sugar and BP control to slow progression.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Harold Peltananswered
Ophthalmology 29 years experience
Yes, temporarily: Laser treatment plus sometimes intravitreal injection of medicines like Avastin or Lucentis (ranibizumab) are very effective, albeit temporary, cures for diabetic retinopathy.
Exercise and tight control of blood sugar can help reduce the frequency and severity of recurrence.
The image shows yellow spots of laser treatment. On the left side, some swelling and bleeding appears.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What is diabetic retinopathy?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Edward Meieranswered
Ophthalmology 24 years experience
Bad: Diabetic retinopathy is caused by blood vessel damage due to high sugar levels. It can cause leakage of fluid from vessels causing swelling. It can also cause the vessels to die leading to the retina not getting enough blood. Both of these can permanently impair vision. The best way to avoid this is control of sugars. Many treatments exist for diabetic retinopathy.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Tim Conrad commented
Ophthalmology 35 years experience
Because the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy exists for all diabetics, you should get an eye examination annually.
Dec 8, 2012
Last updated Apr 23, 2017
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