Individuals with new-onset severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or retinal neovascularization who present to the retinal service of the UBC/VGH Eye Care Centre will be offered participation in this study. Subject inclusion criteria will parallel those of the DRS (Diabetic Retinopathy Study) and ETDRS (Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study). One PRP session will consist of between 800 to 1000 laser burns. Subjects with discomfort during laser (a known side-effect) will be treated with local anesthetics.