Laser Surgery (Diabetic Retinopathy & Macular Disease)

WHAT IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes in which the blood vessels inside the eye are damaged.

Diabetes damages the retinal blood vessels in several ways. In the early stage, blood vessels may become leaky, allowing blood and fluid to seep into the retina. This leakage can cause the delicate retinal tissue to become swollen which blurs vision. As the blood vessel damage continues, some of the vessels close. This starves the retina of oxygen and nutrients which are needed for it to function properly and provide clear vision.

Laser treatment uses is a high-energy light beam which can be precisely focused on the retina. This seals leaking blood vessels or removes areas of the retina which have stopped working because their blood supply has closed. Laser treatment is used in some cases of background retinopathy and in all cases of proliferative retinopathy.

WHAT IS MACULAR DEGENERATION?

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the delicate macular tissue is damaged and ceases to function properly.

If abnormal blood vessels develop, the laser may be used to seal the vessels in order to prevent or limit bleeding. Laser treatment does not cure macular degeneration but may slow the rate of vision loss.