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Diabetic
Retinopathy and the Argon Laser
Diabetic
Retinopathy is
retinopathy (damage to the retina) caused by complications of diabetes,
which can eventually lead to blindness. It is an ocular manifestation of a systemic disease which affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. Despite these intimidating
statistics, research indicates that at least 90% of these new cases
could be reduced if there was proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring
of the eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher his or
her chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.
Argon
Laser - Panretinal Photocagulation (PRP)
Panretinal
photocoagulation, or PRP (also called scatter laser treatment) is used to
treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). It is carried out in multiple sittings.
In treating advanced diabetic retinopathy, the laser destroys the abnormal
blood vessels that form in the retina. This has been shown to
reduce the risk of severe vision loss for eyes at risk by 50%.
Before using the laser, the ophthalmologist dilates the pupil and applies
anaesthetic drops to numb the eye. The patient sits facing the laser machine whilst the doctor holds a special lens on the eye. The physician can use a single spot laser or a pattern scan laser for two-dimensional patterns such as squares, rings and arcs. During the procedure, the patient will
see flashes of light. These flashes can in some cases create an
uncomfortable stinging sensation for the patient. After the laser treatment, patients are advised not to drive for one day. Although
there should not be much pain in the eye itself, a slight headache may
last for several hours afterwards.
Patients will lose some of their peripheral vision after this treatment,
although it may be barely noticeable by the patient. The procedure does
however save the centre of the patient's sight. Laser surgery may
also slightly reduce colour and night vision.
A person with proliferative retinopathy will always be at risk for new
bleeding, as well as glaucoma, a complication from the new blood vessels.
This means that multiple treatments may be required to protect vision.
Telephone
Linda Briggs
Contact Linda Briggs
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