What is photocoagulation of retina?

What is photocoagulation of retina?

Retinal laser photocoagulation is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat leaking blood vessels in the retina that stem from serious retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. This procedure can also seal retinal tears.

How does photocoagulation work?

Laser photocoagulation uses the heat from a laser to seal or destroy abnormal, leaking blood vessels in the retina. One of two approaches may be used when treating diabetic retinopathy: Focal photocoagulation.

Can photocoagulation cause retinal detachment?

Rare complications of laser photocoagulation may cause severe vision loss. These include: Bleeding in the eye (vitreous hemorrhage). Traction retinal detachment.

How safe is photocoagulation?

The procedure is relatively safe with a very low risk of complications. Currently, laser retinal photocoagulation is the most common treatment option in many retinal and eye conditions. Retinal laser photocoagulation may be combined with other retinal procedures, such as cryopexy (freezing) or eye infections.

How long does photocoagulation take?

The procedure itself typically takes about 15 minutes. We begin a retinal laser photocoagulation procedure by placing drops in your eye to numb it and dilate your pupil. In addition, a special contact lens may be placed on the front of your eye to precisely focus the laser for treatment.

Why is pan retinal photocoagulation done?

The goal of pan-retinal photocoagulation is to prevent the development of new vessels over the retina and elsewhere, not to regain lost vision. There is no improvement in vision after the laser treatment. Vision may decrease due to edema/swelling of the retina, after the laser treatment.

What is laser for retina?

These are done usually to the swelling in the central part of the retina (Macular oedema), for areas of ischaemia in retina especially when abnormal new vessels are formed or to weak areas in retina (holes, tears). Procedure and preparation: The eyes will need to be dilated prior to the treatment.

What Colour is the retina?

Orange
Orange Glow The inside of the eye derives its orange color from a layer of pigment cells inside the retina. This layer of pigment—just one cell thick—absorbs light coming in and prevents it from scattering.

How is laser photocoagulation done?

Your doctor will perform this surgery at an outpatient or office setting. Photocoagulation takes place by using the laser to create a microscopic burn in the target tissue. The laser spots are usually applied in 1 of 3 patterns. Before the procedure, you will be given eye drops to dilate your pupils.

What are the risks of laser photocoagulation?

Laser photocoagulation does have side effects. It can reduce a patient’s night vision or his/her ability to function well when going from a lighted environment to a darkened one (e.g., a movie theater). It can cause a loss of peripheral vision or blind spots in a person’s central vision, depending upon where the laser burns are placed.

Does Panretinal photocoagulation cause optic nerve cupping?

One explanation is that panretinal photocoagulation may lead to death of the retinal ganglion cells whose axons constitute the optic nerve, that is, damage from laser causes sectoral damage within the nerve. In glaucomatous damage, principle damage originates in the optic nerve itself which may lead to more uniform damage, or cupping.

What is laser photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy?

Laser photocoagulation is an intervention that is commonly used to treat diabetic retinopathy, in which light energy is applied to the retina with the aim of stopping the growth and development of new blood vessels, and thereby preserving vision.

What does photocoagulation mean?

Origin of photocoagulation. photocoagulation. n. Surgical coagulation of tissue by means of intense light energy, such as a laser, performed to destroy abnormal tissues or to form adhesive scars, especially in ophthalmology.