Laser Eye Surgery for Retinal Repair

Laser eye surgery is a common treatment for retinal complications. Laser surgery is used to repair retinal tears, some retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, and vein and artery occlusions in the retina.

Purpose

• Laser surgery is used to seal leaking blood vessels in the eye in the case of vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy, and to seal the retina to the back of the eye in the case of tears and detachments.

Treatment

• According to Digby Eye Associates, laser treatment involves the use of intense light aimed either at small areas or at multiple spots. This is called pan-retinal photocoagulation.

Procedure

• Laser surgery is done as an outpatient procedure, and takes five to 15 minutes, according to Capital Health Eye Centre. The eye is dilated before the procedure, and a numbing drop is given to decrease discomfort from the lens used to magnify the retina and hold the eye open.

Side Effects

• Vision will be blurry for an hour or two after the laser procedure. Peripheral vision may be lost at the site of the laser treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Complications

• If the laser is inadvertently aimed at the wrong part of the eye, normal tissue may be destroyed.