Argon Laser Treatment to the Retina
Argon laser is green light focused to cause a microscopic burn. The size of the burn is usually of the order of a 5th of a mm in size. The aim of the burn is to kill sick tissue to prevent complications resulting from persistent sick tissue (cauterisation). Poor blood flow through the retina can cause sick retinal tissue in diabetes and in retinal vein occlusion.
Alternatively the laser treatment may be used for causing an adhesion between the retina and underlying structures of the eye, (Spot weld) e.g. laser burns applied around a retinal hole or retinal tear creates the equivalent of a Spot weld to seal the breaking retina to try and prevent progression into a retinal detachment.
Sometimes argon laser is used to destroy, (ablate) an abnormal membrane of leaking vessels in disciform (wet) macula degeneration. Special considerations.
What is Involved?
The main discomfort from laser treatment is caused by frequent very bright flashes. There may be a transient discomfort and if this occurs the laser operator will pause and treat a different area. Usually the laser treatment is not too uncomfortable.
The treatment is usually done after the instillation of anaesthetic drops, alternatively a local anaesthetic injection or rarely a general anaesthetic is performed.
What are the side effects of laser?
The width of vision may be contracted. This can sometimes reduce your driving visual field to such an extent that the DVLA driving standard is not reached. Vision at dusk and at night-time may be impaired, colour vision may be reduced. There can be a temporary reduction in the sharpness of vision. The risks of laser treatment are less than the risks of no treatment in general.
After Treatment
Your eyes will be dilated and examined.
Possible complications of laser treatment include temporary burns to the cornea and rarely lens changes.
Occasionally an inflammatory reaction which can cause water logging to the sensitive part of the vision and iritis, both can be treated by tablets or drops.
A bleed can occur before or after treatment in eyes that require Argon laser, these usually settle down without treatment.
Very rarely scar tissue can form which might be massive and cause loss of vision (others).
Unfortunately, sometimes a continuous deterioration of vision can occur despite (rather than due to ) laser treatment, due to poor blood flow to the eye nerve or to the seeing part of the retina (macula).
Further Treatment
The whole treatment is often done in more than one treatment session. The other eye may require treatment. Further treatments in the distant future are also sometimes required, particularly in diabetic patients.
This information site has been provided by varied UK and US eye doctors for patients with eye problems.
Once your eye doctor has made a diagnosis or recommended an investigation or treatment, then you will be able to find further explanation on this site.
It is not a self diagnosis centre. It should not be relied upon without taking professional advice.