Treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a major public health problem and it remains the leading cause of blindness in people of working age (20 to 65 years). Several important clinical trials have given us the evidence base to provide clinical practice guidelines for management of this disease. With full implementation of existing technology, it should be possible to greatly improve visual outcomes for people with diabetes. There are two keys to maintaining vision in people with diabetes. First, achieving good long-term metabolic control of diabetes will limit the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Second, ensuring early detection of diabetic retinopathy by regular (two-yearly at least) screening examinations will allow timely referral for application of retinal photocoagulation. This paper will review the ophthalmologist's treatment of diabetic retinopathy with emphasis on the role of photocoagulation.