Panretinal Photocoagulation for Retinopathy Treatment in India

David Bhatia, a 58-year-old accountant and...

David Bhatia, a 58-year-old accountant and father of two, has managed Type 2 diabetes for 15 years. He was always diligent with his medication but struggled with diet control. Over the past year, he noticed increasing 'floaters' and cobweb-like shadows in his vision, especially in his right eye. Reading financial reports became difficult as words seemed blurred or missing. His ophthalmologist, Dr. Mehta, diagnosed him with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) in both eyes, with new, fragile blood vessels growing on the retina, a condition that could lead to severe vision loss or blindness if left untreated. Dr. Mehta recommended Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) for his right eye first, explaining it as a laser treatment to stop the abnormal vessel growth and preserve his central vision. David was terrified of losing his sight and his ability to work. The procedure itself was performed in the clinic. After numbing drops, a contact lens was placed on his eye. He felt no pain, only occasional bright flashes of green light and a mild, dull ache. The session lasted about 20 minutes. Recovery involved several days of blurred vision, light sensitivity, and a feeling of grittiness in the eye. Over the next few weeks, his peripheral (side) vision became slightly darker, a known side effect, but the frightening floaters and bleeding stopped. His central vision, crucial for reading and detail work, stabilized. Emotionally, David moved from a state of fear and denial about his diabetes complications to a profound sense of relief and regained control. He became more committed than ever to his health, viewing the procedure not as a failure, but as a crucial intervention that saved his livelihood and independence.