Steroid injections 'more effective' than laser treatment

The two-year study at the Sydney Eye Hospital shows that having steroid injections into the eye is more likely to improve sight than the current laser treatment.

It is believed 15 per cent of the Australian population has diabetes, with 25 per cent of those likely to suffer loss of sight and even blindness.

The New South Wales Health Minister, John Hatzistergos, says the results demonstrate the quality of doctors and researchers working in the health system.

"The impact of this study is substantial in terms of providing hope to these patients of an improved quality of life and relieving them from the prospects of losing vision completely or partially," he said.