Retinal Laser
What is a Retinal Laser?
Retinal laser refers to a medical procedure that uses laser technology to treat various retinal conditions. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue located at the back of the eye, and it plays a crucial role in vision. Retinal laser therapy involves directing a focused beam of laser light onto the retina to achieve specific therapeutic effects.
What conditions is Retinal Laser used for?
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Laser treatment can be effective for sealing leaking blood vessels and reducing the growth of abnormal blood vessels associated with diabetic retinopathy.
- Retinal Tears and Detachments: Laser treatment can seal retinal tears and prevent retinal detachment by creating scar tissue that adheres to the retina to the underlying tissue.
- Macular Oedema: Laser treatment can help reduce fluid accumulation in the macula (central part of the retina) in conditions like diabetic macular oedema.
- Retinal Blood Vessel Diseases: Laser treatment can target abnormal blood vessels in conditions such as retinal vein occlusion.
Types of Retinal Laser
- Laser Retinopexy: involves using a laser to seal off retinal tears/holes in order to prevent retinal detachment
- Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP): A specific type of laser photocoagulation used to treat conditions like proliferative diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion.
- Focal Laser Treatment: Target specific areas of the retina, such as leaking blood vessels in conditions like diabetic macular oedema.
Retinal Laser Procedure
- Preparation: You'll be positioned comfortably, and the eye to be treated will be numbed using local anaesthesia eye drops.
- Laser Procedure: You will be asked to focus on a target light while the doctor uses a special contact lens or microscope to guide the laser to the targeted areas of the retina.
- Laser Application: The doctor will apply the laser in short bursts of light, creating controlled burns or spots on the retina. You might experience some flashes of light during the procedure.
- Duration:
The procedure can typically take 10-15 minutes, depending on the extent of the treatment.
