Bajaj Eye Care Centre

Green Laser for diabetic retinopathy

To treat diabetic retinopathy, the doctor focuses the laser – a bright powerful beam of light – on the retina. The light scars the areas of the retina to stop the formation of new blood vessels and to shrink any new vessels that are present. The goal is not to make vision better, so most people with proliferative retinopathy can expect their vision to be about the same as before treatment. But their eyes are in much better health, because the laser treatment has halted the formation of new blood vessels.

Scatter or panretinal photocoagulation- in which the skilled ophthalmologist places hundreds of tiny “burns” on the retina with the laser, avoiding the macula, the area of the eye responsive for precise vision. This technique is used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a major cause of severe visual loss from diabetes.

Focal laser surgery- used to treat diabetic macular edema. Using a technique called fluorescein angiography and other examination and photographic techniques, the ophthalmologist identifies areas that are leaking fluid into the macula. These areas are then treated directly with a laser to prevent further leakage of fluid into the macula and to allow fluid that has already leaked to be reabsorbed.