Laser treatment for macular degeneration is an efficient and painless solution offered in-office, using laser technology to seal leaky blood vessels and decrease fluid build-up in the macula.

However, treatment cannot restore lost vision; rather it can slow the progression of eye disease.

Swelling of the macula

The macula is the central area of retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. When functioning correctly, the macula transforms images seen by your eyes into electrical impulses that travel back to the brain for processing. But when damaged, macular degeneration or wet macular degeneration occurs resulting in blurred or distorted vision – most commonly experienced in older individuals.

Wet macular degeneration is caused by abnormal blood vessels leaking fluid onto the retina and damaging its macula, leading to severe and permanent vision loss. Treatment options may include laser surgery or alternative forms of therapy.

Laser treatments employ painless laser beams to destroy leaky blood vessels. Although this treatment may improve vision in certain cases of wet macular degeneration, it cannot restore what has already been lost. Best results can be seen among early high-risk wet macular degeneration cases.

This study involved 14 eyes of various degrees of wet AMD that were treated with neodymium-YAG laser photocoagulation therapy. Visual acuity improved in all but one of these eyes; 10 out of 14 improved by at least three Snellen lines.

Laser photocoagulation involves using a painless laser beam to burn away leaky blood vessels in your eye. You will likely notice an increasing black spot in the center of your vision after treatment – though this scar should not prevent future sight improvements.

If you are diagnosed with wet macular degeneration, an ophthalmologist will prescribe optical devices and refer you to a low-vision specialist or center. These tools will help adapt to the changes in your vision while maintaining an enjoyable lifestyle. While low vision devices won’t reverse any vision loss they can help ease everyday activities like moving around more easily or participating in daily tasks more comfortably. Your ophthalmologist can also suggest low vision support groups and programs which may assist with making this transition smoother.

Torn retina

Laser treatment may help seal a torn retina by welding it to the back wall of the eye and preventing fluid seepage under it, thus preventing detachments. This procedure can be completed at your doctor’s office. Anyone experiencing flashing lights or floaters should see their physician immediately to assess whether these symptoms might be caused by retinal tear.

At first, your eye care provider will use drops to dilate (enlarge) your pupil. Next, they may place a special contact lens over your eye to help direct laser light onto the retina and focus it there; the laser energy then destroys abnormal, leaking blood vessels beneath it while sealing any fluid collection beneath. A series of laser treatments is usually necessary.

Laser therapy may also be effective at treating wet macular degeneration, a form of macular degeneration caused by abnormal blood vessels bleeding underneath the retina and leading to detachments that lead to permanent vision loss. Laser treatments may help slow or stop this progression and sometimes improve vision; however, detachments cannot be restored with laser treatments alone.

Laser treatment options available for wet macular degeneration include pneumatic retinopexy and laser surgery. Both procedures can be completed within the physician’s office with little discomfort caused to patients. Pneumatic Retinopexy involves injecting a gas bubble into the eye in order to push back against it and press against the retina, closing retinal tears while also preventing fluid seeping under it. Laser retinopexy involves using a laser to make tiny burns around retinal tears to form scars that “stick” them back together, producing temporary blurry vision that typically resolves over time. Sometimes a surgeon may use freezing therapy instead of laser retinopexy to seal retinal tears.

Leaking blood vessels

Researchers have developed a laser treatment to minimize leaky blood vessels in the macula (central area of vision), which cause fluid buildup and blurry vision. With their technique they were able to achieve results which showed significant decreases in macular edema after several months of treatment – and these could prove potentially effective against further vision loss due to this condition, responsible for 48% of severe vision loss among people over 50.

The retina is a layer of cells lining the back inside wall of your eye that sends signals to your brain so that you can see. The macular area allows for detailed viewing. As we age, abnormal blood vessels may form beneath our retina and leak fluid underneath – this condition is called macular degeneration; although progressive in nature, prevention may be possible through regular visits to an ophthalmologist as well as taking antioxidants, zinc, and vitamin C supplements.

If you suffer from wet macular degeneration, treatment must be undertaken immediately to protect vision loss and preserve eyesight. Treatment includes medications and laser surgery known as focal macular grid treatment – drops are used to dilate eyes before your doctor focuses a laser beam on an area identified on fluorescein angiography where there is retinal leakage; creating tiny burns in retinal blood vessels stops leakage while helping reduce fluid accumulation in macular regions.

Anti-angiogenesis drugs offer an innovative method for macular laser treatment that involves slowing the growth of new blood vessels. It is used to treat advanced wet macular degeneration. Trials are also underway involving photodynamic therapy and gene therapies; further research needs to be completed before we know which of them is most effective and safest for each patient. For more information regarding these developments or any others related to macular degeneration, consult your eye care professional.

Retinal ischaemia

A beam of light destroys abnormal blood vessels affecting your macula, helping stop vision loss from getting worse while improving quality of life. Unfortunately, however, laser surgery cannot restore lost eyesight. You may notice a permanent dark spot (blind spot) where laser surgery created scar tissue; your eye care provider will outline any risks involved with this surgery.

Wet macular degeneration develops when light-sensing cells in your macula stop functioning properly and begin to die, leading to blurred central vision. An eye care provider may use laser therapy to seal off leaky blood vessels and slow vision loss from wet AMD, though this won’t reverse its progression or restore lost sight.

Retinal photocoagulation uses a high-energy beam of light directed directly at any new blood vessels that appear beneath your macula, burning and destroying them with laser energy. This decreases fluid accumulation in your macula while also stopping further blood vessel growth; however, some healthy tissue may also be destroyed along with creating blind spots due to this laser process.

Your doctor will inject a special dye into your arm in order to visualize the blood vessels in your retina, known as fluorescein angiography or optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography. This test allows them to see which vessels are open or leaking fluid and whether any are closed off properly or closed completely.

Your doctor may use transpupillary thermal therapy (TTT). This technique is commonly employed to address macular edema caused by diabetic retinopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. TTT utilizes laser energy to warm abnormal blood vessel membranes several degrees, potentially helping them recede over time.

The procedure typically lasts 10-20 minutes and may leave your eye sore following treatment; Tylenol will usually suffice as pain reliever. After treatment, light may also become sensitive for several days post-procedure.

Before the procedure begins, your eye will be dilated to reduce strain on it and ensure optimal vision during and afterward. After your procedure, vision may remain blurry for several hours following dilation; you may even experience floating spots or shapes (floaters).