Laser treatment
Laser treatment can be used for various eye problems. The word laser can be regarded as a special light source that emits a thin, bright and pure beam of light. Using a microscope, the ophthalmologist focuses this beam of light on a spot in the eye to create a small scar or cut tissue. There are different types of lasers. These lasers differ in color and strength of light beam (By the way: laser beams have nothing to do with X-rays or radioactivity).
Symptoms
The laser treatment is usually used for people with (defective) weak spots on the retina. Treatment depends on the following factors:
- degree of nearsightedness (myopia)
- whether or not there are complaints
- retinal detachment in the other eye
- presence or absence of an artificial lens
- types of peripheral retinal defects/changes
You can recognize a weak spot on the retina by flashes of light in the eye. Sometimes a kind of curtain can suddenly appear in front of the eye.
For whom?
Defects on the retina have various manifestations:
Holes or tears in the retina
Holes or tears in the retina can lead to retinal detachment (ablatio retinae). This can be prevented by ‘welding’ the holes or cracks on their underlay with a laser. Once the retina has detached, it cannot be repaired by laser treatment and surgery is necessary. Present age-related wear spots can also be treated if they are/become symptomatic.
Retinal abnormalities due to diabetes
Diabetes can cause abnormalities in the retina (diabetic retinopathy). It is impossible to repair the damage to the retina with the laser. It is possible to slow down or stop the damage to preserve your vision as best as possible. Depending on the nature of the abnormalities, one or more laser treatments are required. Since damage to the retina caused by diabetes can continue for a long time, additional treatment is sometimes necessary later.
High eye pressure
High eye pressure (glaucoma) can lead to increasing, permanent damage to the optic nerve. This damage causes a reduction in the field of vision and can ultimately lead to blindness. High eye pressure can have various causes.
In open angle glaucoma, the ophthalmologist can use the Argon laser to increase the drainage of aqueous humor in the eye. This treatment is virtually pain-free. In closed-angle glaucoma, the ophthalmologist clears the drainage of the eye by making a small hole in the iris with the YAG laser (laser iridotomy). This treatment is also virtually painless.
Other conditions
Multiple abnormalities of the retina may prompt the ophthalmologist to perform laser treatment in consultation with you.
Day of the procedure
You may eat normally and take your usual medications before the procedure. Make sure you are there on time. We advise you not to drive your own car after the procedure. We recommend that you bring someone who can guide you. Due to sterile working conditions, a supervisor cannot be present during the treatment. He/she can wait in the waiting area.
The laser treatment
Before the treatment, you should apply drops every 10 minutes to the eye that is to be lasered one hour in advance. If necessary, you can do this yourself at home. These drops dilate or constrict the pupil. Whether the pupil needs to be dilated or constricted depends on the type of laser treatment. During laser treatment, a glass lens is almost always placed on the cornea and held by the ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist focuses the laser beams through this lens. The treatment is almost not painful and takes a maximum of 10 minutes. The flashes of light you see may be unpleasant.
After treatment
Immediately after the treatment you will see less clearly due to the flashes of light and the drops in your eye. If you have pain after the treatment, you can take a painkiller (e.g. paracetamol) and keep your eye closed.
