Do I need laser or injections?

Many people need laser, injections, or both. The choice depends on bleeding, swelling, and follow-up needs [1] .

Why do I need exams if I see fine?

Advanced vessel changes can start before symptoms. Treatment works best before major bleeding.

What causes sudden floaters in diabetes?

A shower of floaters can be blood in the vitreous gel. It needs urgent eye care.

Can better blood sugar still help?

Yes. Better blood sugar and blood pressure control can reduce future retina damage.

Condition

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Also known as PDR, Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy, Proliferative Retinopathy, Diabetic Eye Bleeding, Diabetic Retinal Neovascularization

Updated May 16, 2026·For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is advanced diabetic eye disease. Fragile new vessels can bleed or scar, causing sudden and severe vision loss.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. The retina grows fragile new blood vessels because parts of it are not getting enough oxygen.

These vessels can bleed into the vitreous gel or form scar tissue. Scar tissue can pull the retina away from the back of the eye.

Laser treatment and eye injections can lower the risk of severe vision loss when disease is found early ¹ ².

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Get same-day care from a retina specialist or ophthalmologist for sudden dark vision, many new floaters, flashes, or a curtain in your vision — these can mean bleeding into the eye (vitreous hemorrhage) or a retinal detachment. If you cannot reach a retina specialist today, go to the emergency room.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy can be silent until bleeding starts. Symptoms can include:

Sudden floaters that look like spots, strings, smoke, or a dark cloud.
Blurred central vision from macular swelling.
Flashes or a curtain if the retina is being pulled.
Sudden vision loss from bleeding into the eye.

Treatment

Treatment aims to make abnormal vessels shrink and stop bleeding.

Panretinal photocoagulation. Scatter laser lowers the retina signal that drives new vessel growth.
Eye injections. Medicines that block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a vessel growth signal, can shrink new vessels ².
Vitrectomy. Surgery can remove non-clearing blood or repair traction on the retina.

Many people need both retina treatment and better blood sugar, blood pressure, and kidney care.

Prevention and Follow-Up

Good diabetes care lowers the chance that retinopathy gets worse. Blood sugar swings and high blood pressure are linked with diabetic retinopathy risk ³.

Do not wait for symptoms. Proliferative disease can be found during a dilated exam before bleeding starts.

Common Questions About Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Treatment can make new vessels shrink and lower bleeding risk. It may not restore vision already lost from scar, swelling, or detachment.

Next Steps

1Get same-day retina care for sudden dark vision, many new floaters with flashes, or a curtain over your vision. Go to the emergency room if a retina specialist is not reachable today.
2Book a retina visit if you have diabetes and have missed a yearly dilated exam.
3Ask whether you have new vessels, macular swelling, or bleeding on imaging.
4Bring your A1C blood sugar result and blood pressure list to the visit.
5Keep all laser, injection, and follow-up visits even if vision improves.

Find specialists for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Board-certified ophthalmologists who treat Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

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