Find your nearest store search now

Please enter your postcode, city or town and we’ll find the nearest store in your area.

Sorry, we do not recognise: .

Please enter your postcode, city or town and we’ll find the nearest store in your area.

Please enter your postcode, city or town and we’ll find the nearest store in your area.

We found more than one match for .

Please click on one of the suggested results below or try another search

Sorry, we encountered an error when locating your store.

Please enter your postcode, city or town and we’ll find the nearest store in your area.

Not finding what you are looking for? See our full list of stores

Find details of our Highlands and Islands service
Book your appointment book now

To book an appointment online, we need to know where you are! So just choose a store and tell them when you want your appointment and they'll call you back to confirm the closest available date and time.

Sorry, we do not recognise: .

To book an appointment online, we need to know where you are! So just choose a store and tell them when you want your appointment and they'll call you back to confirm the closest available date and time.

We found more than one match for .

Please click on one of the suggested results below or try another search

To book an appointment online, we need to know where you are! So just choose a store and tell them when you want your appointment and they'll call you back to confirm the closest available date and time.

Sorry, we encountered an error when locating your store.

To book an appointment online, we need to know where you are! So just choose a store and tell them when you want your appointment and they'll call you back to confirm the closest available date and time.

Not finding what you are looking for? See our full list of stores

Find details of our Highlands and Islands service

Home

Home > Ask the Optician > Treatment for diabetic retinopathy

Ask the Optician

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy

On 3 March 2011 by Nigel Best

Question

What is the treatment for diabetic retinopathy?

Answer Video and written answer:
Qualified optometrist Nigel Best BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBCLA FAAO answers this question:

The main form of treatment available for diabetic retinopathy is laser photcoagulation. If done early enough laser treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of severe vision loss by as much as 90%. Laser treatment is not a cure but it does aim to save current sight. The laser seals the blood vessels that are leaking fluid into the retina, however if there are new blood vessels growing more extensive laser treatment is necessary. In over 80% of cases laser treatment causes the new blood vessels to disappear. The procedure is not painful and is usually carried out on an out patient basis under local anaesthetic.

For more information about diabetes, see our video below:

Optician's Biography

Nigel Best BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBCLA FAAO has worked as an optometrist at Specsavers for 18 years. He is currently the Director of Specsavers Optometrists in Darlington and Richmond (N.Yorks), a College of Optometrists supervisor and a member of the Optometry in Practice editorial board. He has written papers published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and regional training events. He has written a number of contributions to optical and medical publications for the public, including sections on eyes and eye diseases for a Reader’s Digest guide.

Share this