Being diagnosed with diabetic eye disease can be worrying, but at The London Clinic Eye Centre, we’re here to help. Our expert team of ophthalmologists work in partnership with a wider support team to deliver unparalleled eye care tailored to your needs.
Diabetic eye disease treatments
Also known as: diabetic retinopathy treatment, diabetic macular oedema treatment
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What is it for?
To treat the side effects of diabetes on your vision
Overview of treatments
Diabetes affects your eyes when your blood glucose levels, or blood sugar, have been too high. This can cause damage to the fine blood vessels in the retina – the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye that converts light into electrical signals, to create the images which you see. A number of eye conditions may be caused by diabetes, which we collectively call ‘diabetic eye disease’.
In particular, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema have been found to be prevalent in 33% and 7% of people with diabetes, respectively.
In the early stages of diabetic eye disease, the most helpful treatment is to regulate your blood sugar levels by getting your diabetes under tighter control, alongside improving general medical health, including blood pressure and cholesterol.
However, if your condition advances, causing leakage at the central area (the macula), abnormal blood vessel growth or bleeding, you may need laser treatment, injections, or even surgery.
Laser treatment
Pan-retinal laser treatment works by stabilising and reducing the new, fragile blood vessels that develop as a result of diabetic retinopathy. However, while laser treatment can prevent further loss of vision, it does not usually reverse the established damage.Focal laser therapy can be used to reduce diabetic macular oedema. This involves placing mild and gentle laser treatment to help reduce the leakage at the central macular area.
Recovery timeline and aftercare
Laser treatment is a quick, outpatient procedure and only takes between 10–20 minutes.Your vision will return to normal within one day of completing the treatment, but you will need somebody to drive you home afterwards.
Intravitreal injections
Where laser treatment can prevent loss of vision, intravitreal injections can be used to potentially reverse any loss of vision due to diabetic macular oedema.A number of different injection drugs are available. Your treating ophthalmologist will discuss the risks and benefits, according to your individual level of disease and other medical issues.
Recovery timeline and aftercare
Having an intravitreal injection is also a very quick process. The entire procedure only takes between 10–15 minutes.There are usually no restrictions following the injection, apart from avoiding potential infection risks.A follow-up appointment with your consultant will be scheduled for a few weeks after your treatment, according to the nature of the disease process seen.
Surgery
If cataracts co-exist with diabetic retinopathy, your consultant may recommend cataract surgery, usually after the retinal disease is treated and stable.Cataract surgery involves the removal of the cloudy lens in your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens implant so that your vision becomes clearer.You may be recommended vitrectomy (vitreo-retinal) surgery if your diabetic retinopathy progresses to a more aggressive or severe form, known as advanced diabetic retinopathy, which causes either significant bleeding at the back of your eye (vitreous haemorrhage), or scarring (tractional retinal detachment). This surgery aims to remove the vitreous gel and any deposits of blood from inside your eye or remove any scarring.However, this procedure is usually reserved for more advanced cases. Your surgeon will discuss with you the risks and prognosis in detail.
Recovery timeline and aftercare
Cataract surgery is usually a quick and painless procedure. You should be able to go home on the same day you have the surgery. However, you will have a dressing over your eye which will need to be removed at home a day or two after your procedure.Vitrectomy surgery can take approximately 1–2 hours, depending on the type and complexity of the eye condition being treated.In most cases, the surgery is a day-case procedure. This means that most patients can return home on the same day as the operation itself.
Our experts
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic Eye Centre?
The London Clinic Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
Unparalleled eye expertise
Our ophthalmologists bring global experience across the full range of eye conditions, supported by advanced imaging and The London Clinic’s world-class facilities.
With you at every step
From your first appointment to follow-up, our clinicians, nurses and support teams provide coordinated, bespoke care so you always feel confident and supported.
Personal care, every time
We tailor your care around your individual needs, staying with you throughout your journey and ensuring you feel listened to and supported.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis, treatment or a specialist opinion, our Eye Centre team is here to help. Find out more about how we can support your eye health.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.