What is the cost of retinal laser treatment?

Diabetic retinopathy represents a critical condition that progressively deteriorates vision among individuals diagnosed with diabetes. It emerges from the impairment of blood vessels within the retina, typically presenting without any immediate warning signals.1

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If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy stands as the primary cause of new blindness among American adults between the ages of 20 and 74.2 This condition poses a threat to anyone with any form of diabetes.1

Through dilated eye examinations, it is possible to uncover early indications of diabetic retinopathy even before symptoms manifest.1 Initiating treatment promptly can lower the chances of vision loss by an impressive 95 percent.3

Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy

When blood sugar levels are not effectively controlled, tiny blood vessels across the body, including those in the retina, can sustain damage. The retina, positioned at the rear of the eye, plays a crucial role in capturing light and transmitting signals to the brain via the optic nerve.

Elevated sugar levels may cause these blood vessels to leak or bleed, leading to swelling within the retinal tissue, which often results in blurry or cloudy vision, generally affecting both eyes.

Proactive identification and treatment can markedly enhance vision. Neglecting the condition may lead to lasting alterations in the eye's lens shape and, in severe cases, to blindness.

Retinal Laser Treatment Cost: What to Expect

The expense associated with retinal laser therapy for diabetic retinopathy varies according to the severity of the eye changes and the specific eye issues being experienced. Treatment options can include injection therapies, laser surgeries, corticosteroid treatments, scatter laser procedures, and vitrectomy. The financial outlay for these interventions can range from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand.

Specifically, the costs for laser treatments for diabetic retinopathy are reported to be between $744 and $2,396,4,5 while corticosteroid therapy may range from $500 to $1,000.6 The price for anti-VEGF injection medications, aimed at combating diabetic retinopathy, averages between $506 and $2,7,8 depending on the healthcare provider or treatment facility setting.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy can be categorized into two principal phases:

1. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) NDPR represents the initial stage of the condition and can be further classified into mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms may be minor or even absent during this period. In NPDR, the integrity of the retina's blood vessels declines, resulting in tiny bulges and leaking fluid, potentially causing the macula, the central part of the retina, to swell.
2. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) PDR denotes the most advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. During this phase, abnormal new blood vessels form in the retina, which, if untreated, can lead to significant vision impairment or complete blindness.

Recognizing Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

One can have diabetic retinopathy and remain oblivious to it due to the lack of early-stage symptoms. When symptoms do surface, they are often mild3 and may be misinterpreted as common age-related vision variations.

Typically, symptoms tend to affect both eyes and could manifest as:

• Increased eye floaters
• Dark or blank spots in the line of sight
• Blurred vision
• Poor vision at night
• Difficulty in distinguishing colors
• Vision loss

Potential Complications Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy

Without timely intervention, diabetic retinopathy can result in severe complications and potential blindness.

Potential complications include:

• Diabetic macular edema (DME) DME arises when blood vessels leak fluid into the retina, leading to swellings in the macula. Approximately half of those suffering from diabetic retinopathy are expected to develop DME.
• Neovascular glaucoma This form of glaucoma may develop when abnormal blood vessels obstruct the drainage pathway in the eye, resulting in increased pressure and potential optic nerve damage.
• Retinal detachment Diabetic retinopathy may lead to scar tissue development which can detach the retina from the back of the eye.
• Vision loss Progressive diabetic retinopathy and neovascular glaucoma can culminate in blindness if not properly addressed.

Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy

A thorough eye examination is imperative for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye check-ups are strongly advised for those with diabetes due to the elevated risk for diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions. These examinations typically entail various tests to assess vision and detect any ocular diseases.

Read More: 9 Essential Eye Tests Needed for a Healthy Eye Exam

Your physician will commence with reviewing your medical history to ascertain if you have diabetes and how it’s currently being managed. They’ll also query any symptoms you might have experienced.

During the eye examination, your doctor will utilize eye drops to widen your pupils, allowing for a better view of the inside of your eyes to identify abnormalities like new blood vessels, scars, or swelling.

Additional tests that the doctor may recommend include:

• Fluorescein angiography which captures images of your eyes as an injected dye moves through the blood vessels, helping to identify any leaks or blockages.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) which generates cross-sectional images of your retina to determine thickness and fluid leakage.

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy treatment strategy hinges upon the stage’s advancement.

If the condition is in its early phases, treatment may only entail consistent monitoring through dilated eye exams every two to four months until symptoms arise.

Effectively managing diabetes can significantly decelerate diabetic retinopathy's progression, and referrals to endocrinologists may be made to assist in this endeavor.

For more advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy, treatment can include:

• Injections This involves inserting medications known as VEGF inhibitors into the eye to prevent the creation of new blood vessels. Corticosteroid injections may sometimes be deployed to mitigate inflammation in the macula.
• Photocoagulation This laser treatment method applies focused laser beams to shrink and seal leaking blood vessels.
• Surgery Vitrectomy serves as a surgical option to replace hazy vitreous fluid in the eye and address any bleeding sources in the retina.

Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy

Preventative measures against diabetic retinopathy include maintaining regulated blood pressure alongside healthy levels of blood sugar and cholesterol. Keeping regular medical appointments and adhering to prescribed medications are crucial in managing these conditions.

Incorporating certain lifestyle modifications can further support prevention, such as:

• Adopting a nutritious diet1
• Participating in moderate-intensity exercise five days a week
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Ceasing smoking
• Undergoing annual comprehensive dilated eye exams as recommended by your physician

Timely detection and intervention of diabetic retinopathy can safeguard your vision, making regular eye assessments the most effective measure to achieve this.

For further information on Laser Retinal Imaging, don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange an expert consultation!

Financing Options for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with CareCredit

Whether you require surgery or simply need an eye examination, the CareCredit credit card provides support for expenses not covered by insurance.* You can apply today and use our Acceptance Locator tool to locate a nearby vision specialist accepting CareCredit. Continue your journey toward wellness by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App, giving you a means to manage your account, locate providers on the go, and gain convenient access to the Well U hub, complete with informative articles, podcasts, and videos.

Continue reading for insights regarding treatment costs, insurance coverage variations, the financial implications on individuals, and available funding assistance.

The treatment expenses largely depend on the type of care received and the extent to which health insurance covers each service.

Diabetic retinopathy causes retinal swelling leading to blurred vision and is the most prevalent reason behind blindness in diabetes sufferers, impacting one in three adults over 40 with diabetes.

Numerous treatments exist to halt the progression of diabetic retinopathy. However, those without insurance may face substantial financial burdens.

Countless therapeutic options for diabetic retinopathy are available, with healthcare providers recommending the most suitable course of treatment.

While treatment does not provide a cure for diabetic retinopathy, it can effectively prevent the condition's severity.

Below is a summary of these therapeutic approaches along with an approximate cost outline. Keep in mind these figures will likely be lower with health insurance.

Injections

This process entails injecting anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications directly into the compromised eye. This aids in curbing atypical blood vessel growth and slows down retinal damage associated with diabetes.

Individuals may receive two types of anti-VEGF drugs: aflibercept or ranibizumab.

Implant

Occasionally, a sustained-release implant may be inserted into the eye, administered via injection. This device progressively releases medication over time and is generally used when diabetic macular edema is present.

The branded implant, Ozurdex, has an approximate cost of $1,455 each.

Laser Treatment

Laser eye treatment, referred to as photocoagulation by doctors, aids in reducing retinal swelling. This procedure applies small laser burns to diminish leaky blood vessels, decreasing excess fluid and subsequent swelling.

Patients undergoing laser interventions for diabetic retinopathy may require one to three sessions before observing positive outcomes.

Credible sources indicate that earlier research estimated laser therapy costs to be around $1,326 for three visits.

Surgery

One surgical option, vitrectomy, may benefit patients with diabetic retinopathy as a supplementary approach to retinal surgery.

This can aid those facing tractional retinal detachment issues or those unable to effectively visualize the retina due to blood in the vitreous. The vitreous, a gel-like substance in the retina, is removed during the vitrectomy procedure.

According to estimates from the Vision Center, the expense of a vitrectomy varies from $8,000 to $14,000, depending on factors such as health insurance coverage and the need for hospitalization post-operative care.

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