Laser PRP

[Becks33]

Hi

Has anyone ever had proliferative diabetic retinopathy where laser has not worked and what was your alternative treatments? My surgeon is talking about a vitrectomy but I though this was to remove blood?? Can anyone help xx

 

[Dark Horse]

Vitrectomy can be recommended when someone keeps having vitreous haemorrhages despite having had full PRP. The rationale is that the New Vessels which prompted the treatment haven't regressed and have grown forward from the retina into the vitreous. There is normally slight movement between the vitreous jelly and the retina and this tugs on the delicate New Vessels, causing them to bleed. Removing the vitreous stops this process and reduces the chance of further bleeds. Also, vitrectomy may be recommended if the vitreous is starting to shrink is pulling on these New Vessels - this might cause retinal detachment unless the vitreous is removed.

Some info here:-
http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/vitreous_hemorrhage.html
https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/PL705.pdf

 

[Becks33]

And if I don’t have any more bleeds what can they do???

 

[Becks33]

Because the blood vessels are still there but not growing anymore it’s stable but the ophthalmologist wants them to shrink would it be a case of VEGF???

 

[Dark Horse]

Because the blood vessels are still there but not growing anymore it’s stable but the ophthalmologist wants them to shrink would it be a case of VEGF???

You need to discuss this with your ophthalmologist. Ask them exactly what they are recommending, why they are recommending it and what it involves. Most ophthalmology departments will have patient leaflets that explain various procedures.