Laser coagulation of the retina
What is retinal laser coagulation?
This is a technique for producing small retinal scars using therapeutic ophthalmic lasers. The resulting scars make it possible to stop the development of certain retinal pathologies.
What is it for? What can be treated with a laser?
As a result of laser coagulation, scarring increases the attachment of the retina to the periphery of the eyeball (for example, it is necessary for retinal tears or detachment), allows you to control areas of ischemia (lack of oxygen in tissues), fight edema and abnormal deposits in the retina, fight proliferation (growths of connective tissue) and tumors.
Laser coagulation is most often used for:
- Retinal tears. After the diagnosis of retinal rupture, treatment should be carried out as soon as possible. Without treatment, fluid from the eye cavity will penetrate through the gap under the retina. Laser coagulation stops this process by "sealing" the gap, which prevents further retinal detachment and blindness;
- Vascular retinopathy. In the case of diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein thrombosis, or exudative pathologies (for example, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy). Laser coagulation allows you to "seal" pathological vessels or tissues, prevent the development of new pathological vessels and accelerate the resorption of retinal edema;
- Glaucoma. With the help of laser coagulation, it is possible to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow or reducing the production of intraocular fluid;
- Tumors. Laser coagulation can stop the growth and even reduce the size of retinal tumors.
Do I need to do any additional research beforehand?
It is only during an ophthalmological examination that it is possible to determine whether laser treatment is necessary. In the presence of vascular pathologies or retinal tumors, Optical Coherence Tomography of the retina is additionally performed in Angiography mode. This study allows you to accurately determine the areas of fluid accumulation and pathological retinal vessels that will be treated with a laser.
How is the procedure going?
Before manipulation, drops are instilled to reduce the sensitivity of the eye and dilate the pupil. The duration of treatment varies from one to ten minutes, depending on the size and nature of the pathological changes.
Using a special lens, the laser beam focuses with high precision on the selected segment of the retina. Repeated short-term effects on various tissues of the eyeball are used, while healthy areas do not suffer. With a large lesion area, the so-called Panretinal laser coagulation is performed.
The procedure is not dramatic and is performed on an outpatient basis. During the intervention, the patient feels only the touch of a three-mirrored lens, which ensures the concentration of the laser beam in the desired area, and sees short flashes of light.
Advantages of retinal laser coagulation
- Absence of incision, blood loss;
- aiming accuracy;
- no rehabilitation period;
- contactless;
- minimum contraindications;
- there is no risk of infection.
LKS prevents liquid from flowing under the shell. Instead of coagulants, chorioretinal adhesions are formed, which exclude the further spread of the pathological process. The final formation of micro-seals;
occurs approximately 10-14 days after the intervention. Sometimes a repeat procedure is required to achieve maximum clinical results.
Contraindications
- clouding of the transparent media of the eye (lens, moisture, vitreous body);
- grade III-IV gliosis;
- extensive retinal detachment;
- hemorrhages on the fundus;
Does it hurt? Are there any possible complications?
The intervention is performed after instillation of anesthetic drops. There is no pain. Sometimes, with large areas of exposure (with panretinal coagulation), anti-inflammatory drops are additionally used.
Laser coagulation is one of the safest operations in ophthalmology. In a small number of cases, a complication such as bleeding into the vitreous (usually from pathological vessels) is possible, which usually resolves very quickly on its own without consequences. Sometimes, intraocular pressure increases for a short time, which recovers on its own.
The most serious complication is pressure drops in the intraocular fluid that occur with detachment of the choroid and edema of the ciliary body due to excessive exposure to laser radiation. After peripheral laser coagulation, the patient must be observed by an ophthalmologist, since postoperative anomalies may not occur immediately, but after some time.
After the procedure....
Immediately after the intervention, the blinding effect of laser flashes (laser– monochrome light) is observed for a minute or two. There is some discomfort within the normal range:
- slight burning sensation;
- the feeling of sand;
- photophobia;
- lacrimation;
- the blurriness of the image.
Such symptoms go away on their own within 1-2 days after the procedure.
Depending on the disease being treated, vision either does not change or may be slightly blurred (if the central areas of the retina suffered before treatment), with gradual recovery and even improvement within 2-6 weeks. There are no additional restrictions after the procedure.
Recommendations for patients after LCS
- limit the visual load on the day of the operation, there are no further restrictions;
- instill eye drops within 1-3 days after the procedure (the doctor will prescribe);
- exclude salt and alcohol from the diet for 10-14 days, and limit liquids;
- restrict all sports and activities related to sudden bends, vibration, and weight lifting for a month;
- refrain from visiting saunas, baths, and swimming pools for the first 3-4 weeks;
- carry out preventive eye examinations at least once a year.
What is retinal laser coagulation
Preventive peripheral laser coagulation is a treatment method used to prevent or slow the progression of certain types of retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and detachment. During the procedure, the doctor uses a laser to create small burns on the surface of the retina, which stimulates the formation of new blood vessels and strengthens existing ones.
Preparation for the procedure
Laser coagulation of the retina is a quick and low–trauma operation. Specific training is usually not required. Before the procedure, you need to:
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remove the extended eyelashes (if available);
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do not use cosmetics, do not apply makeup.
On the day of surgery, you need to take sunglasses to the clinic. Sunlight can irritate the eyes and cause discomfort after the intervention. The procedure itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, without hospitalization. The patient can go home after completing the treatment.
Question-answer
Can flashes remain in the eyes after exposure to a laser?
This is a normal symptom after surgery, usually the flare-ups disappear within a few days.
How many days can vision correction be performed after retinal laser coagulation?
Laser vision correction can usually be done after 2-3 weeks, but the final decision is made by the attending physician.
How long does the eye heal after retinal laser coagulation?
It usually takes 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover.
Is it possible to go outside after surgery?
You can go outside immediately after the procedure, but it is advisable to wear sunglasses.
Can I use my phone after the procedure?
You can use your phone or TV the next day, but it is advisable to avoid prolonged exposure to the screen and bright light.
When can I wash my face after laser coagulation?
You can wash your face the next day, but you need to avoid getting water in your eyes.
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Doctors
Elias Raid
Head of the EMC Ophthalmology Clinic, Ph.D. of Medical Sciences
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Alfiya Bedredinova
Doctor of the highest category
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Natalya Shilova
Ph.D. of Medical Sciences
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Anna Semitko
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Sergey Ignatiev
Ph.D. of Medical Sciences
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Vitaliy Ivanov
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Natalia Boscha
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Oksana Levkina
Doctor of the highest category, Ph.D. of Medical Sciences
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Viktor Makarov
Doctor of the highest category, Ph.D. of Medical Sciences
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Elmira Sultanova
Doctor of the highest category, Ph.D. of Medical Sciences
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Elias Raid
Head of the EMC Ophthalmology Clinic, Ph.D. of Medical Sciences
- Performs vision correction surgery
- He graduated from the MNTC "Eye Microsurgery" named after S.N.Fedorov. He has interned in various foreign clinics
- He worked in foreign clinics: Moorfields Eye Hospital,Heidelberg University Hospital,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux
Total experience
34 years
Experience in EMC
since 1996
