The Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinopathy is a major cause of morbidity in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. The incidence of blindness, for example, is much higher in patients with diabetes than in the general population. This is a systematic review of reports, articles and guidelines published in web regarding the treatment and management of diabetic retinopathy. The indications and timing for photocoagulation and vitrectomy achieved consensus across all guidelines. Intraocular steroids and anti-VEGF agents have consistently generated interest as having the greatest potential in treatment of diabetic macular edema and proliferative disease. Recommendations for the use of intraocular corticosteroids in treatment of DME achieved consensus across the guidelines. All studies acknowledged that intravitreal corticosteroids including triamcinolone (IVTA) was widely used in managing DME that was refractory to focal/grid laser.