LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation. It is a high energy beam of light which can be
used to treat various retinal disorders.
It is a non-invasive OPD (Out-patient Department)
procedure.
HOW IS RETINAL LASER PERFORMED?
The eyes will need to be dilated prior to the
treatment.
Laser can be delivered by Slit-lamp or indirect
ophthalmoscopy.
Anaesthetic drops are applied before commencing
slit lamp delivery of LASER.
You have to sit in front of the slit lamp with your chin
on a chin rest (an attachment) and your forehead
against the bar.
Doctor will apply a contact lens to your eye to
visualise the retina, focus the laser beam on your
retina. The procedure takes about 5-10 min .
WHY ARE RETINAL LASERS DONE?
Retinal Lasers are performed to treat various disorders
of Retina like:
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Macular Edema
Neovascularization due to retinal vein occlusions
Retinal Vasculitis
Central Serous Chorio-retinopathy
Peripheral Retinal Degenerations/ holes/ tears
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Retinal artery Macroaneurysm
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF RETINAL LASERS? Pan- Retinal Photocoagulation (PRP)
Laser done to areas of no/ low blood flow
(ischemic areas)
Away from centre of retina
PRP is done for disorders like - diabetic retinopathy,
vein occlusions, vasculitis, retinopathy of prematurity
Focal laser
Laser done to areas of leakage.
Focal Laser is done for conditions like - Diabetic
macular edema, Central serous chorio-retinopathy,
Retinal artery macroaneurysm
Delimiting Laser
Laser done to seal breaks in the retina to prevent Retinal detachment
Delimiting laser is done for peripheral retinal degenerations, tears/ holes in retinal periphery
