In diabetic retinopathy, which intervention is commonly used to prevent progression?

• A. Intraocular steroids only
• B. Laser photocoagulation
• C. IV antibiotics
• D. No treatment; observation

Answer: (B)

Diabetic retinopathy progresses when retinal ischemia drives new vessel growth and edema, threatening vision. Laser photocoagulation helps prevent this progression by destroying tiny areas of ischemic retina, which lowers the retina’s metabolic demand and reduces VEGF production. With less VEGF, abnormal neovascularization is discouraged, slowing or halting the move toward proliferative diabetic retinopathy and stabilizing vision. In proliferative disease, a panretinal (scatter) laser approach is commonly used to reduce the risk of further neovascular growth; for macular edema, focal or grid laser can help reduce edema and protect central vision. In contrast, intraocular steroids mainly address edema but carry risks and are not the primary preventive measure for progression, IV antibiotics are unrelated to retinopathy management, and observation alone would miss an opportunity to prevent deterioration.