Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population in many countries. Despite the available treatments, some patients present late in the course of the disease when treatment is more difficult. If diabetic retinopathy is detected, tightening of modifiable risk factors (e.g. blood glucose and blood pressure) can slow disease progression. When sight-threatening retinopathy is detected, laser treatment and treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors reduces the risk of visual loss.