Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive eye disease caused by long-term diabetes and is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. Many patients lose vision not because treatment is unavailable, but because they do not understand the stages of diabetic retinopathy and delay care until the disease becomes advanced.
Knowing what are the stages of diabetic retinopathy, how symptoms change at each stage, and where green laser treatment is required can make the difference between preserved vision and permanent vision loss. At Dr Harsh Inder Retina Center, patients are educated about each stage so they can seek timely, sight-saving treatment.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy and Why Does It Occur?
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when persistently high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels of the retina. Over time, these vessels may leak fluid, become blocked, or grow abnormally, reducing oxygen supply to the retina.
Key risk factors include:
- Long duration of diabetes
- Poor blood sugar control
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- Pregnancy and kidney disease
Early diagnosis through regular eye screening at specialized centers like Dr Harsh Inder Retina Center can prevent severe vision loss in most cases.
What Are the Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy?
The different stages of diabetic retinopathy are classified based on the severity of retinal blood vessel damage. Each stage has specific signs, symptoms, and treatment requirements.
Stages and Treatment Needs
Stage | Retinal Changes | Common Symptoms | Laser Treatment |
Mild NPDR | Microaneurysms | None | ❌ No |
Moderate NPDR | Vessel leakage, swelling | Mild blur | ❌ Usually No |
Severe NPDR | Blocked vessels, ischemia | Vision fluctuation | ⚠️ Sometimes |
Proliferative DR (PDR) | Abnormal new vessels | Severe vision loss | ✅ Yes |
Stage 1: Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
What happens at this stage?
- Small balloon-like swellings (microaneurysms) appear
- Minimal leakage of blood or fluid
Symptoms
- Usually asymptomatic
- Vision often remains completely normal
Treatment approach
- No laser treatment required
- Focus on diabetes control and annual retinal exams
👉 Tip: Even without symptoms, skipping eye exams can allow silent progression.
Stage 2: Moderate Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
How does the disease progress?
- Blood vessels weaken and leak more fluid
- Retinal swelling may increase
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy by stage
- Mild blurred vision
- Difficulty reading or focusing
Is green laser treatment needed?
- Not routinely
- May be advised only if diabetic macular edema develops
Most patients are managed with close monitoring, OCT scans, and angiography, as practiced at Dr Harsh Inder Retina Center.
Stage 3: Severe Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Why is this stage dangerous?
- Many blood vessels become blocked
- Retina receives insufficient oxygen (ischemia)
- High risk of progression to advanced disease
Symptoms
- Fluctuating or worsening vision
- Dark spots or shadows
Role of green laser treatment
- May be recommended selectively
- Used to treat ischemic retinal areas and prevent progression
At this stage, retina specialists carefully evaluate angiography results before deciding laser treatment.
Stage 4: Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
What defines proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
This is the most advanced and sight-threatening stage.
- Abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina
- These vessels are fragile and bleed easily
- High risk of vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment
Symptoms
- Sudden vision loss
- Multiple floaters
- Severe blurring or black patches
Who Needs Green Laser Treatment?
Green laser treatment is required for:
- Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)
- Selected cases of severe NPDR with retinal ischemia
- Patients at high risk of retinal bleeding or vision loss
Early intervention at advanced retina centers such as Dr Harsh Inder Retina Center significantly reduces the risk of permanent blindness.
Where Is Green Laser Treatment Required in Diabetic Retinopathy?
What is green laser treatment?
Green laser treatment, medically known as pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP), uses focused laser burns to treat damaged peripheral retina.
Why is it used?
- Shrinks abnormal blood vessels
- Reduces oxygen demand of the retina
- Prevents severe vision-threatening complications
Retina specialists worldwide consider PRP the gold standard treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
How Does Green Laser Treatment Work? (Before vs After)
Before Laser | After Laser |
Abnormal vessels continue growing | Vessel growth regresses |
High bleeding risk | Reduced bleeding risk |
Progressive vision loss | Vision stabilized |
High chance of blindness | Blindness risk significantly reduced |
Procedure overview:
- Eye is numbed with drops
- Laser applied to peripheral retina
- Outpatient procedure (15–30 minutes)
- Minimal downtime
Green Laser vs Anti-VEGF Injections: What’s the Difference?
Feature | Green Laser | Anti-VEGF Injections |
Purpose | Prevents vessel growth | Reduces swelling & leakage |
Duration | Long-term effect | Temporary |
Frequency | Usually 1–2 sessions | Repeated injections |
Best for | Proliferative DR | Macular edema |
Many patients benefit from combination therapy, depending on disease severity.
Latest Advancements in Laser Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
Recent developments have improved patient comfort and outcomes:
- Pattern scan laser for faster treatment
- Reduced pain laser protocols
- Better imaging-guided laser accuracy
Conclusion
Understanding the stages of diabetic retinopathy helps patients take action before irreversible damage occurs. While early stages require monitoring and diabetes control, green laser treatment becomes essential in advanced stages to preserve vision.
👉 If you have diabetes, don’t wait for symptoms. Book a retinal screening with a qualified retina specialist today and protect your eyesight early.
