Blocking of the capillaries in the retina leads to a lack of oxygen in the retina. A lack of oxygen causes new blood vessels to grow in the retina and/or at the end of the optic nerve.
The new vessels are brittle and they may leak blood into the vitreous inside the eye, causing a degree of vision loss.
In order to establish new blood vessels, it is especially important to regularly scan or examine the back surfaces of the eyes. This way, any potentially detrimental changes can be identified and treated in time. The situation always requires an eye specialist’s examination and assessment regarding the most suitable treatment.
The primary treatment of proliferative retinopathy is the laser treatment of the retina. The urgency and scope of the treatment depend on the size and location of the new blood vessels. In the case of severe proliferative retinopathy, the comprehensive laser treatment of the retina, called panretinal photocoagulation or PRP, should be started without delay. Correctly timed, laser treatment effectively stops the progress of changes in the retina, reduces the need for vitreous surgery and, in that way, prevents vision impairment.
Medicine injected into the vitreous is also proven to protect from retinopathy.
Vitreous hemorrhage
The vitreous haemorrhage (VH) associated with proliferative retinopathy often goes away on its own within a few weeks or months. Laser treatment improves the supply of oxygen to the retina as well as circulation in its central part. It also reduces the growth factor of blood vessels, preventing the growth of new vessels and thereby preventing new haemorrhage.
Clearing of the haemorrhage can also be expedited by injecting medicine that prevents the growth of new blood vessels into the vitreous, provided that there are no contraindications. Non-clearing vitreous haemorrhage (NCVH) or scarred new blood vessels can be treated with retinal surgery or vitreous surgery, i.e. vitrectomy.