In diabetic retinopathy, on the one hand the retinal periphery can lead to a loss of vision due to a reduced blood supply of the retina, on the other hand, water retention in the middle of the retina (macular edema) can occur due to "leaking" vessels. For this reason, diabetics should have regular ophthalmological check-ups in order to detect complications caused by diabetes at an early stage. The University Clinic of Ophthalmology, with its specialized ophthalmologists and modern diagnostic imaging and surgical methods, has state-of-the-art equipment for the optimal care of diabetic complications of the eye. 

The increased blood sugar level in diabetes can also lead to a deterioration in visual acuity due to swelling in the middle of the retina (macular edema). This accumulation of water in the middle of the retina can be largely prevented by injecting special medication (Eylea or Lucentis) into the vitreous body and can lead to an improvement in visual acuity. The University Clinic for Ophthalmology at the Inselspital Bern is specially geared to diagnosis with specialized consultation hours for retinal diseases in diabetes. With its laser consultation hours and outpatient clinic for intravitreal injections (LINK), it has a highly specialized facility for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. It is also important to consistently adjust blood sugar levels and, if necessary, any existing high blood pressure. In close cooperation with your family doctor and our diabetes specialists at the Inselspital, we can thus contribute to the long-term maintenance of your visual acuity.

Diabetes is a very widespread metabolic disease in Switzerland. The elevated blood sugar level can lead to vascular changes over the years and thus to circulatory disorders of the kidneys, feet or eyes. In the eye, the retina is particularly affected. These vascular changes can lead to reduced blood supply to the retina due to the occlusion of the smallest retinal vessels. This can lead to bleeding into the vitreous body and thus the threat of blindness. The reduced blood flow in diabetes can be detected early by fluorescence angiography and treated by laser treatment to prevent bleeding. The laser treatment is carried out at the University Clinic for Ophthalmology of the Inselspital Bern in a specialized laser consultation using state-of-the-art laser equipment (http://www.ellex.com/physicians/product-portfolio/photocoagulation/integre-pro/overview/).  Since pain is rarely experienced during this treatment, we as a university clinic also offer treatment under local anaesthesia. If bleeding has occurred, experienced retinal surgeons are on hand at the University Clinic for Ophthalmology of the Inselspital to improve visual acuity by means of vitrectomy and intraoperative laser treatment.