Surgical intervention for diabetic retinopathy

As the leading cause of blindness amongst working-age adults, retinal complications from diabetes comprise a large portion of ophthalmologists' practice. Its prevalence is increasing worldwide and the estimated prevalence in Canada is 5% to 6% of the general population. This rises to as high as 20% within the native population. Five to 10% of these patients will develop severe, vision-threatening complications during their lifetime, which places a tremendous burden upon healthcare resources. The treatment of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema falls into four principle categories: laser treatment, pharmacologic therapy utilizing steroids or VEGF inhibitors, and vitrectomy.