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LASER TREATMENT FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
USEFUL INFORMATION BEFORE THE VALON LASER TREATMENT
Laser photocoagulation treatment with Valon is usually very fast, effective and painless. The , Before the surgery, the doctor will dilate your pupil and apply anesthetic drops. After that the doctor will place a special lens on your eye and do an examination.
During the procedure, you may see flashes of light, that for some people can feel uncomfortable. However, you should not experience disturbing pain. Valon laser treatment is proven to be very gentle to the eye, and takes much less time than conventional laser procedures.
You will need someone to drive you home after surgery, because your pupil will remain dilated for a few hours. For the rest of the day, your vision will probably be a little blurry. Some people may also experience a slight headache.
Laser photocoagulation is a procedure where the damaged tissue of the eye is treated with laser.
Pan Retinal Photocoagulation (PRP)
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the most serious stage of retinopathy is treated with a procedure called Pan Retinal Photocoagulation (PRP). PRP is also called a scatter treatment. It helps to shrink the abnormal blood vessels. In PRP treatment thousands of laser burns are placed in the areas of the retina away from the central area, macula, causing the abnormal blood vessels to shrink. Although you may notice some loss of your side vision, PRP laser treatment can save the rest of your sight.
Treatment with Valon Multispot Laser is significantly faster and less painful than treatment with a traditional laser. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need a couple of visits for the treatment to be effective.
Focal laser treatment for diabetic macular edema
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling in the area of the retina called the macula. DME is treated with focal laser treatment, where areas that are leaking fluid into the macula area are treated directly with a laser to prevent further leakage of fluid into the macula. This also allows fluid that has already leaked to be reabsorbed.
Focal treatment requires less intense laser power and fewer spots than scatter treatment, and the surgery can usually be completed in one session. Further treatments may be needed as new leaks develop.
Many doctors use combination therapy of anti-VEGF injections and laser photocoagulation for treatment of diabetic macular edema. There are many studies supporting combination therapy, but your doctor always makes a decicion on the best treatment methods based on your individual needs.
Valon Laser Treatment Risks
In laser photocoagulation, laser beam is used to burn and destroy the damaged parts of the retina. With conventional settings, this often results in some permanent vision loss.
Valon Multispot laser treatment uses low power and short laser pulses enabling the damaged tissue to heal. Permanent vision loss can usually be avoided with Valon Multispot laser treatment.
There is a risk of possibility of mild loss of central vision, reduced night vision, and decreased ability to focus. Some people may lose some of their side (peripheral) vision. But the vision loss caused by laser treatment is mild compared with the vision loss that may be caused by untreated retinopathy.
Rare complications of laser photocoagulation may cause severe vision loss. These include: Bleeding in the eye (vitreous hemorrhage). Traction retinal detachment. Accidental laser burn of the fovea (a depression in the central macula that contains no blood vessels). This results in severe central vision loss. There are always risks with surgery, but the risks of laser photocoagulation with Valon Multispot laser are very small.
The most common side effects of laser treatment are blurry vision a couple of hours after the treatment and some patients may develop a headache.