PRP Laser- Pan-Retinal Photocoagulation

Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Retinopathy

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Laser photocoagulation uses the heat from a laser to seal or destroy abnormal, leaking blood vessels in the retina. One of two approaches may be used when treating diabetic retinopathy:

  • Focal photocoagulation. Focal treatment is used to seal specific leaking blood vessels in a small area of the retina, usually near themacula. The ophthalmologist identifies individual blood vessels for treatment and makes a limited number of laser burns to seal them off.
  • Scatter (pan-retinal) photocoagulation. Scatter treatment is used to slow the growth of new abnormal blood vessels that have developed over a wider area of the retina. The ophthalmologist may make hundreds of laser burns on the retina to stop the blood vessels from growing. The person                                                                       may need two or more treatment sessions.

Laser photocoagulation is usually not painful. The injection of anesthetic may be uncomfortable. And then you may feel a slight stinging sensation or see brief flashes of light when the laser is applied to your eye.

Why It Is Done

Laser photocoagulation is done to reduce the risk of vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy. It is most often used to stabilize vision and prevent future vision loss rather than to improve vision loss that has already occurred. (Sometimes focal photocoagulation for macular edema caused by non proliferative retinopathy can help restore lost vision.)PRP

Laser photocoagulation may be used to treat and prevent further progression of:

  • Macular edema. Focal photocoagulation is usually used in these cases.
  • Proliferative retinopathy. Scatter (pan-retinal) photocoagulation is used to treat proliferative retinopathy.

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