Diabetic eye treatments – from lasers to anti-VEGF

"Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in the working population in the western world."

In response to the need to cut through some of the media confusion, the Royal Free Hospital’s Consultant Ophthalmologist, Miss Susanne Althauser has set out a plain English explanation of all the mainstream and latest treatment options associated with diabetic eye disease.

Miss Althauser explains that in the UK, all patients over the age of 12 are offered a yearly screening visit to check if they have any treatable Diabetic Retinopathy or Maculopathy. The screening is done using digital photography of your eyes. “You should try to attend the screening programme but if you decide not to attend, you should see an ophthalmologist privately and ask to have the results sent to your local screening programme”.

She then goes on to describe all the latest recommended treatment options from anti-VEGF intravitreal injections to laser treatments and vitrectomy surgery so that anyone with concerns can find out what may be appropriate for them via an authoritative and independent source.

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