When do patients with diabetic retinopathy need surgery?

In some cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), the new blood vessels can cause severe bleeding called a vitreous hemorrhage. This bleeding can block the vision and block the ability of your eye doctor to perform laser treatments. Further, neovascularization can lead to retinal detachment putting the patient at risk for severe vision loss.

In these cases, your retinal specialist may recommend surgery to remove the blood or repair the retinal detachment.