You may not need treatment if you have mild DR. Healthcare providers will check your eyes regularly to monitor the damage to your retinas. If you have severe DR, you may need surgery to slow or stop the disease. Laser treatment may slow DR and prevent blindness. This treatment shrinks the new blood vessels and seals the areas that have leaks. Surgery called a vitrectomy may be done if there is bleeding in the vitreous that does not clear. The vitreous is the gel-like material that fills the inside of the eye.