In Office Laser Surgeries
Laser Eye Surgery Brochure
Laser Surgery for Diabetic Retinopathy
If there is clinically significant macular edema or swelling of the macula as a
result of the leaky capillaries and microaneurysms in the retina, laser eye
surgery may be indicated in order to restore and preserve vision.
Ophthalmologists apply very rigid criteria in order to determine who should have
the laser eye surgery procedure called, Focal Laser Photocoagulation . These
strict guidelines have been developed after many years of clinical trials and
protocols in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) in
conjunction with the National Institutes of Health.
Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy are often treated with the
laser eye surgery procedure called scatter laser photocoagulation of the
peripheral retina. This laser eye surgery technique is also called Pan Retinal
Laser Photocoagulation or PRP. By using the laser to stop and hopefully reverse
the formation of the neovascularization Ophthalmologists are able to lessen the
chance of significant vision loss. As with most types of laser eye surgery, Pan
Retinal Photocoagulation is performed as an in-office or out-patient procedure.
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Laser Surgery for Glaucoma
Laser Trabeculoplasty for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Laser trabeculoplasty is a surgical treatment for open-angle glaucoma that
lowers the intraocular pressure. The ophthalmologist who performs this procedure
must have a thorough knowledge of anatomy of the anterior chamber angle,
techniques of gonioscopy, and operation of the laser. The technique is more
effective in treating primary open-angle glaucoma, pigmentary glaucoma, and
exfoliation syndrome glaucoma. It appears to be appropriate for use in patients
with these conditions whose intraocular pressure remains uncontrolled, despite
maximum-tolerated medical therapy, and as an alternative to glaucoma filtering
surgery. In some cases, it may be an appropriate alternative to certain forms of
medical therapy. The procedure entails relatively minor risks to the patients,
although the long-term results of the treatment are still unknown.
Copyright © 1996 by American Academy of Ophthalmology
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Laser Surgery for Secondary Cataract
YAG capsulotomy, is performed when someone who has already undergone cataract
surgery develops a "secondary cataract" or "after-cataract." This occurs when
the original lens capsule that holds the new lens implant becomes cloudy. Using
a YAG laser, the eye surgeon makes a tiny opening in the capsule, which allows
light to enter the lens once again. The treatment is quick and painless and is
performed in the office of your eye surgeon. Other lasers are used routinely to
treat different abnormal conditions of the eye, among them macular degeneration
and diabetic retinopathy.
from Clarifying Eye Surgery - July 5, 2002
By Ralph M. Bishop, M.D., F.A.C.S.
http://www.cayugamed.org/articles/read.dbm?ID=267
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American Academy of Ophthalmology: brochures and textual
content. www.aao.org
