Retinal Lasers

Retinal lasers are more versatile than you may imagine, as they can produce different results, treat several retinal conditions, and preserve your vision. At Retina Consultants of Austin, with offices in Austin, Lakeway, Marble Falls, and Round Rock, Texas, the experienced ophthalmologists specialize in using lasers to seal leaking blood vessels and repair torn tissues. To learn if retinal lasers may improve your eye health, call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today.

What are retinal lasers?

Retinal lasers use light energy in different pulses and wavelengths to treat conditions affecting your retina. The providers at Retina Consultants of Austin may use one of the following techniques to precisely treat tiny structures in your eye: 

Photocoagulation therapy

Photocoagulation relies on heat to treat retinal problems. The targeted tissues absorb the laser’s energy, then the heat changes fluids into a solid or semi-solid state.

This process can scar, seal, shrink, or destroy structures, allowing lasers to treat abnormal blood vessels and repair retinal tears. 

Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy uses a cold laser that activates biochemical reactions. Your provider uses an intravenous (IV) infusion to send a specialized drug into your body. The drug travels to your eye and collects in abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Then, the laser triggers a reaction in the drug, effectively closing the vessel. 

What conditions are treated with retinal lasers? 

Retina Consultants of Austin may recommend laser therapy for retinal conditions that cause a fluid buildup in or under the retina.

Abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina doesn’t support circulation. Instead, they leak blood and fluids into the retina, including the macula at the center of your retina.

As fluids build up and cause swelling, they damage the sensitive cells you need for vision and can pull the retina away from the tissues keeping it attached to your eye.

Retinal lasers can treat:

• Retinal tears
• Retinal detachment
• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic macular edema
• Retinal vein occlusion
• Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC)

CSC causes fluids to accumulate behind the retina, causing a detached retina. 

What symptoms indicate I may need retinal laser treatment?

The conditions treated with retinal lasers cause the following symptoms:

• Blurry vision
• Distorted vision (straight lines look wavy)
• Diminished color vision
• Loss of central or side vision
• Difficulty seeing in low light (poor night vision)
• Many new floaters (dark specks floating across your field of vision)
• Flashes of light
• Shadows or dark areas over your central vision 

Though not common, a sudden, severe fluid buildup can cause pain. In most retinal conditions, the symptoms appear gradually. However, a detached retina typically causes sudden symptoms (floaters and flashes of light).

If you have symptoms of retinal problems, don’t wait to get an evaluation. Call Retina Consultants of Austin or schedule an appointment online today.