When we talk about proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the disease is in its most advanced stage. The lack of proper blood supply to the retina leads to the growth of abnormal blood vessels, which break easily and cause bleeding in the vitreous cavity.
In advanced stages, the proliferation of fibrovascular tissue is detected, which exerts traction on the retina, leading to detachments. Surgical treatment is often required.
It affects both central and peripheral vision and causes loss of visual acuity due to the development of macular edema or vitreous hemorrhage.
It requires immediate and ongoing treatment to prevent the most severe and irreversible consequences of this disease, which can lead to blindness. Treatment must be personalized, depending on the patient’s condition, and involves a combination of different approaches, such as panretinal photocoagulation with argon laser, intravitreal drug injections, and microincision vitrectomy surgery for the most severe cases.
Can Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy be prevented?
Controlling risk factors is very important. The main factor is hyperglycemia. Blood glucose levels must be kept under control, as this can delay the onset and progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. For this reason, it is very important that diabetic patients attend regular check-ups with both their endocrinologist and ophthalmologist.
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