Date of last review: Due to be updated

Differential diagnosis

  • Retinal vein occlusion
  • Retinal vasculitis

Possible management by Optometrist

Treatment

  • None

Advice

  • Only new blood vessels growing from the optic disc, or within a one disc diameter radius of the disc (also know as NVD or new vessels at the disc), or large new vessels elsewhere (also known as NVE), are of particular concern
  • Urgent referral to diabetes eye screening, with images, for advice, if previously discharged from ophthalmology
  • Urgent referral to ophthalmology, with images, for advice, if not known to ophthalmology
  • Advise the importance of regular attendance at diabetes eye screening to preserve sight
  • Refer patient to General Practice to facilitate optimisation of blood pressure and glycaemic control

Management Category

  • Refer to Diabetes Eye Screening Service
  • Refer to Ophthalmology

Possible management by Ophthalmologist

  • Pan-retinal laser photocoagulation
  • Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy