Abstract
Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the international leaders in causes of avoidable blindness due to hyperglycemia-related microvascular damage to the retinal microvasculature. It is asymptomatic and lacks a prodromal, and therefore detection is key.
Objective: The aim of the present article is to present a general overview of the available strategies for screening, diagnosis, and management of diabetic retinopathy with a special focus on evidence-based therapies that alleviate the disease burden and maintain visual function.
Methods: Systematic literature study and study of critical clinical guidelines were undertaken to compare different diagnostic methods and therapeutic modalities, namely laser photocoagulation, intravitreal pharmacotherapy, and surgery.
Results: Detection modalities like dilated fundus examination at intervals, high-resolution fundus imaging, and tele ophthalmology have maximally improved the detection rate at the early stage. Panretinal photocoagulation, anti-VEGF therapy, and vitrectomy have been tremendously successful in avoiding loss of vision at various stages of DR.
Conclusion: Systematic management by following combined systematic screening, early diagnosis, and stage-wise therapeutic intervention is mandatory in an attempt to decrease the visual as well as socioeconomic load of diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy; retinal screening; laser photocoagulation; anti-VEGF treatment; fundus photography; tele ophthalmology; diabetic macular edema; preservation of vision; ophthalmic interventions; disease management