LASER PROCEDURES

OVERVIEW
Laser energy is used in many different instances in the treatment of diverse eye diseases. These include laser vision correction for refractive errors (poor eyesight requiring glasses and/or contact lenses), laser for the treatment of glaucoma and retinal laser for diabetic eye disease.

 

Laser vision correction encompasses various laser surgical procedures, with the most well-known being LASIK. In laser vision correction, laser energy is used to reshape the cornea and restore clear vision. This allows the patient to become independent of assistant devices such as glasses or contact lenses. Laser vision correction procedures are typically performed to correct conditions such as hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism.

At AllAboutEyes, our specialists perform laser surgery to treat glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

LASER FOR GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that causes loss of vision and eventual blindness, most commonly due to raised intraocular pressure in the eye. This high pressure damages the optic nerve behind the eye. Laser treatment, known as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), is used to lower the pressure in certain patients who have open-angle glaucoma.

During the procedure, the ophthalmologist will use a speculum to keep the eye open and administer numbing eye drops. A beam of light (laser) will be directed into the eye to facilitate drainage by unclogging the trabecular meshwork. Patients may go back to their normal routine a day after the procedure.

In other types of glaucoma, where there is a blockage of the fluid drainage channels by the iris (closed-angle glaucoma) laser can be used to create a small hole in the iris to allow for the drainage of fluid from the back of the eye to the front, relieving the pressure build-up behind the iris.

 
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LASER FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY DIABETIC

retinopathy is an eye condition that causes loss of vision and eventual blindness in people who are diabetic. The condition affects the blood vessels in the retina of the eye.

Scatter laser surgery, or pan-retinal photocoagulation is a type of laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy. This procedure aims to treat and prevent further damage to the blood vessels of the retina caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy and advanced diabetic eye disease.

During the application of retinal laser, the ophthalmologist will use eye drops to numb the surface of the eye and place a special lens on the cornea to focus the laser energy on the retina. The laser energy destroys(ablates) peripheral retinal tissue decreasing the oxygen demand of the retina, which eventually causes abnormal blood vessels to regress and prevent further loss of vision.

FAQ

1Does laser treatment cure diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease) is caused by uncontrolled diabetes, so the first line of treatment must always be to control the systemic blood sugar. Although laser has been proven to dramatically reduce the risk of future blindness and severe vision loss, it might not always be effective in reversing existing damage caused to the retina.
2Is laser treatment right for me?
Our specialists will determine whether you are a good candidate for laser eye surgery based on your symptoms and medical history.
3When should I contact my ophthalmologist after surgery?
It is essential that you attend your follow up appointments after the procedure. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience eye pain, an increase in seeing floaters, loss of vision or change of vision.