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Laser Center
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Ophthalmology
Laser surgery in ophthalmology can successfully treat many types of eye
disease.
How does the laser work?
There are two different ways lasers are used
to treat eye conditions.
Thermal
Lasers
The light is converted to heat when it reaches the eye. The heat is used to:
- Seal blood vessels (veins and arteries) that are bleeding or leaking
fluid.
- Destroy abnormal tissue, such as a tumor.
- Bond the retina to the back of the eye.
Photodisruptive
Laser
The light cuts or sculpts tissue, similar to a knife. The beam of light is
used to:
- Cut thin membranes inside
the eye that are blocking vision.
- Change the shape of the
surface of the eye.
What are the advantages
of using ophthalmic lasers?
Laser surgery of the eye has several advantages:
- There is no risk of infection from the laser light, as might happen with
operative surgery.
- Laser surgery can be performed in an outpatient setting, without having to
stay in the hospital overnight.
- The surgeon has great precision and control.
Which diseases can be treated the laser?
DISEASES OF THE RETINA
Retinal
Tears or Holes
The retina is the inner layer of the eye that
senses light and helps you to see. If the retina, tears, it can separate from the back
wall of the eye. This is called a detached retina, and it can cause you to lose
sight. Symptoms of retinal tears include:
- Sudden flashes of light.
- "Floaters" or specks in your vision.
Most retinal tears can be treated with the argon or krypton laser, if they
are found before the retina detaches. The laser helps bond the retina to the
wall of the eye, preventing a retinal
detachment. If retinal detachment has already occurred, the laser cannot be used and an
operation is usually necessary.
Diabetic
Retinopathy
Eye disease from diabetes is a major cause of vision loss. Diabetes can
cause blood vessels in the retina to grow abnormally. The vessels can leak
fluid (macular edema) or bleed inside the
eye. Laser surgery to treat diabetic retinopathy:
- Seals leaking blood vessels to reduce macular edema, helping to prevent
further vision loss.
- Slows or stops growth of abnormal blood
vessels, decreasing the chance of bleeding in the eye.
Macular
Degeneration
The macula is the small, central area of the
retina that allows us to see fine details clearly. Macular degeneration affects your central or reading
vision. Most people have "dry" macular degeneration, which cannot be helped by laser
surgery. A few people have "wet" macular degeneration. Abnormal blood vessels cause
bleeding and scarring of the macula. In certain cases, these people may be
treated with the argon or krypton laser. The laser seals the blood vessels
to prevent further damage. There are other retinal problems that can be treated with the laser,
including:
- Retinal vein occlusions
- Histoplasmosis
- Central serous retinopathy
- Some tumors of the eye
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GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, which sends images from the eye to
the brain and allows us to see. Glaucoma affects at least two out of every
100 older Americans.
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, usually because the fluid pressure inside
the eye is too high. Loss of vision from glaucoma can often be prevented if
your ophthalmologist discovers the disease before much damage occurs to the
optic nerve. Glaucoma must be detected early if treatment is to be successful.
Eye drops or pills are the usual way to treat glaucoma. If they do not
control pressure within the eye, laser surgery may be used to
create a tiny opening, allowing the fluid to drain and reduce pressure.
SECONDARY CATARACT
(pseudophakia)
After a cataract has been removed, the capsule of the lens sometimes becomes
cloudy. The neodymium-YAG laser can open up this cloudy membrane and restore
clear vision. The laser is not used to remove cataracts.
About
the Treatment
Ophthalmic laser treatment is not like a traditional surgical procedure. It
will not be painful, and special preparation is not necessary. You can eat,
drink and take your medications, including eye drops, as you normally do.
Most treatments take about an hour to an hour and a half. However, glaucoma
or secondary cataract treatments require more
time. The doctor needs to check eye pressure
one to two hours after the procedure is complete.
It is important to arrange for transportation home following a procedure.
Most laser treatments require pupil dilation,
which makes driving difficult.
If you have any questions regarding ophthalmic laser treatment at
Miller-Dwan, please call the Laser Room at (218) 720-1436.
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