Laser coagulation of the eye
Laser eye coagulation is the strengthening of the retina with a laser. This operation is performed on an outpatient basis. I give the patient local anesthesia - special drops are instilled. In most cases, patients of any age tolerate this procedure well, since it does not overload the blood vessels, heart or other organs.
To perform laser coagulation, a Goldmann lens is installed on the affected eye; it makes it possible to focus the laser beam anywhere in the fundus of the eye. Laser radiation is delivered through a slit lamp during the entire procedure. The surgeon controls the operation process with a stereomicroscope; he points and focuses the laser.
It is shown when:
- fundus pathologies;
- detachment of the inner membrane;
- damage to retinal vessels;
- age-related retinal dystrophy;
- acute thrombosis of the central vein.
This operation is bloodless, and there is no recovery period after it. After laser coagulation, a person develops a feeling of irritation and reddened eyes. These manifestations disappear on their own after a few hours. In the first few days after surgery, the patient is prescribed special drops that need to be instilled into the eyes.
Only on the first day after coagulation is it worth limiting visual stress. You can use vision correction glasses and contact lenses the very next day. But you also shouldn’t neglect protecting your eyes from the sun.
What should not be done after laser coagulation of the retina?
To speed up recovery and avoid complications, after laser coagulation you cannot:
- Drink salt, alcohol, and plenty of fluids for 10 days after surgery.
- 30 days of sports, heavy physical labor, sudden bending of the body, lifting heavy objects.
- Take hot baths and sauna for 28 days.
With retinal dystrophy, there is a danger that a person will lose vision. To prevent this outcome, laser coagulation is performed, but even when the disease goes away, it is too early to relax. There are some restrictions after the laser coagulation procedure. The recovery period lasts from one to two weeks, it all depends on the person’s health.
- watch TV and sit at the computer;
- strain your eyesight with glasses and contact lenses;
- take hot baths, saunas;
- go to the beach.
- eat foods with salt,
- drinking alcohol,
- drink plenty of fluids.
Be sure to use eye drops prescribed by your doctor. It is also necessary to avoid any physical activity or sports for a month. You cannot drive a car for the first week after surgery.
People with diabetes should control their blood sugar to a normal level. If you have problems with the vascular system, you need to constantly maintain normal pressure. After surgery, be sure to visit an ophthalmologist once every three months.
Most often, inflammation of the conjunctiva occurs. For prevention purposes, ophthalmologists prescribe eye drops. If you don't use them, it won't end well.
It happens that the retina of the eye is exfoliated again. This happens when the cause of the disease is not eliminated, or it is impossible to do so. Sometimes a person does not comply with the restrictions and contributes to poor “soldering” of the retina, for example, on the very first day after the procedure, he engages in physical work or decides to watch TV.
Sometimes the patient develops various visual disturbances. Typically, problems occur immediately after surgery and resolve as swelling decreases. They are accompanied by the appearance of various spots and points in the field of view. But there are also cases of the development of disorders some time after coagulation due to violations of the regime during the recovery period.
There are cases that doctors call “dry eye syndrome.” This occurs due to a lack of tear fluid. Symptoms include a burning sensation and discomfort that may go away when the person yawns.
Other complications occur rarely and are associated with complication of the disease. The main thing is not to forget that the retina of the eye is a very fragile thing.
Due to your own negligence during the rehabilitation period, you can partially or even completely lose your vision.
What to do if complications arise due to non-compliance with recommendations
In this situation, it is too late to panic. First of all, you need to stop making things worse and not do what doctors prohibit. The rest depends on the degree of complications.
In the process of laser coagulation of the retina, microsurgical treatment of tears and thinning of this membrane is performed. This technique helps prevent retinal detachment, which can cause decreased visual function and even blindness. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis. The duration of the intervention does not exceed half an hour and is well tolerated by patients of different age categories.
After laser coagulation of the retina, unlike invasive operations, the rehabilitation period is short. At the same time, to improve results, it is very important to follow all the doctor’s recommendations regarding the recovery period.
Nuances of the postoperative period
2-3 hours after the operation, the reaction of the pupil to the drops stops, and it returns to normal size. At the same time, the patient’s visual function is restored. In some cases, after laser coagulation of the retina, redness or a feeling of irritation of the eyes may occur. Usually all these symptoms go away on their own within a few hours.
It should be noted that it is highly undesirable to drive a vehicle on the day of the operation. In addition, you need to protect your retina from the sun by wearing safety glasses. It is best to follow these recommendations until strong chorioretinal adhesions are formed in the retinal area.
On average, the rehabilitation period after laser coagulation of the retina is 1-2 weeks. During this time, it is necessary to observe a gentle regime, which involves limiting:
- All types of activities that are accompanied by vibration, falling, shaking, in particular, playing sports;
- Work that requires the patient to bend, lift or carry heavy objects;
- Visual strain at close range;
- Visits to the bathhouse, swimming pool, sauna;
- Drinking alcohol, excess liquid, salty foods.
Even after successful laser coagulation of the retina, there is a risk (especially high in patients with diabetes) of the formation of new areas of degeneration and detachment. In this regard, after the operation, you need to undergo scheduled examinations with an ophthalmologist every month (during the first half of the year). In the future, the frequency of preventive visits is reduced to once every three months, and then less frequently (up to an annual scheduled examination).
It should be recalled once again that timely identification of new areas of thinning and rupture of the retina, degeneration of this membrane of the eye, allows for timely preventive laser coagulation. As a result, the risk of retinal detachment is significantly reduced, and the likelihood of vision loss becomes minimal.
Treatment of a damaged retina using laser coagulation can restore the patient’s vision, prevent degenerative changes in tissue, as well as the development of blindness. In addition, coagulation makes it possible to effectively treat retinal detachment, restore blood supply and functionality of the vascular apparatus of the eye. A distinctive feature of the postoperative period is the patient’s ability to leave the hospital within a few hours after completion of the operation.
In what cases is laser coagulation of the retina prescribed?
Eyes can be prescribed to a patient in case of a number of diseases, including:
- dystrophy of the ocular vascular apparatus (peripheral vessels);
- in case of proliferation of blood vessels in large numbers (angiomatous changes);
- venous thrombosis of the retina;
- with diabetes or hypertension leading to retinopathy;
- ruptures or traumatic retinal detachments;
- dystrophic age-related changes in the macula of the eye (the macula in which the light beam is focused);
- deformation of the eyeball resulting from myopia (impaired ocular refraction, in which there is deterioration of vision - myopia);
- the presence of certain types of formations (tumors).
Laser coagulation may have a number of limitations, which include clouding of the eye cornea and vitreous body (gliosis), the presence of hemorrhages in the fundus of the eye, as well as some disturbances in visual acuity.
About the effectiveness of the method
Surgery using a laser effectively allows you to get rid of eye ailments; moreover, it is carried out within a short time and does not require patients to stay in a hospital. A few hours after the procedure, patients can go home. Laser surgeries can subsequently eliminate ruptures and damage to the retina, as well as improve blood supply and nutrition.
Advice: If deformations of the eyeballs are detected, it is necessary to discuss the possibility of laser surgery (coagulation) with the treating specialist. Restoration of ocular vital processes is also effectively carried out by laser vision correction LASIK, which allows you to get rid of such ailments as astigmatism, farsightedness and myopia. In addition, this type of operation has minimal restrictions on its implementation. Smile vision correction is also considered effective (can be performed in the absence of contraindications).
The use of laser (coagulation) allows you to restore visual processes and avoid destruction of eyeball tissue even during pregnancy. After surgery, the functioning of peripheral vessels significantly improves and processes in tissues are restored.
Features of rehabilitation after coagulation and possible complications
After coagulation using a laser, it is necessary to avoid exposure to direct sunlight in the eyes, for which it is recommended to wear dark glasses until strong tissue (choreoretinal) adhesions are formed.
The postoperative period can last from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the characteristics of the human body. In the early postoperative period, it is forbidden to play sports; heavy physical exertion and sudden movements must be avoided. These recommendations from doctors are based on the possible risk of retinal detachment and deterioration of the patient's condition.
To avoid complications in the postoperative period, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the treating specialist, namely:
- after surgical treatment, you should not watch TV or work at the computer;
- diabetics are required to maintain normal blood sugar levels;
- for hypertension and problems with the cardiovascular system, constant monitoring of blood pressure is necessary;
- After laser coagulation, you must visit an ophthalmologist every 3 months.
Possible complications in the postoperative period include short-term swelling of the eye cornea, some decrease in vision in the dark, as well as increased pressure inside the eyeballs.
Preventive ophthalmological examinations will help avoid further complications with vision and possible relapses from the vascular system and retina.
Attention! The information on the site is presented by specialists, but is for informational purposes only and cannot be used for independent treatment. Be sure to consult your doctor!
Laser coagulation of the retina is designed to strengthen the structures of the visual organ.
The technique became available at a time when lasers came to the aid of ophthalmic patients. Over time, technologies have improved, their use has become easier, the cost of equipment and procedures has become cheaper, so today we have an almost perfect “weapon” to combat dozens of pathological changes in the eye.
If there is a serious ophthalmological pathology, you should consult about obtaining a deferment from the army, which only confirms the need for serious examination and treatment.
Laser vision coagulation: indications for use
There are many indications for using the procedure. Let's list just a few of them:
- diabetic retinopathy;
- prevention of retinal detachment during childbirth;
- reduction of degenerative processes of the retina;
- angiomatous disorders;
- thrombosis of the central retinal vein;
- age-related retinal dystrophy;
- thrombosis of the central veins supplying the retina.
Limitations after laser coagulation of the retina
During the postoperative period, you should strictly limit yourself from lifting weights! This is very important, so leave training that involves intense physical activity and strength exercises for the time being.
And protect your body from injury, especially damage to the head and eye sockets. You cannot make sharp turns of the neck, tilt the head, jumps, or somersaults. Give your body physical rest.
Sick leave after coagulation is not provided. The work schedule, which is associated with increased visual load, should be adjusted so that the eyes are involved minimally. Avoid small jobs that require visual strain and increased attention.
During the postoperative period, you should remember that you should consult an ophthalmologist monthly for the first 6 months. This way you can avoid unpleasant surprises and maintain visual acuity for many years.
For what contraindications is the procedure not prescribed?
Alas, like every technique, laser coagulation of the eye retina has its contraindications. It is contraindicated in people whose fundus has undergone severe changes, with epiretinal gliosis associated with traction syndrome, or if there is insufficient transparency of the optical ocular media.
Advanced retinal rubeosis and the appearance of a new blood network in the iris are also significant contraindications to the procedure. If visual acuity does not exceed 0.1 diopter, then medical manipulation is prescribed with caution.
Advantages and consequences of using laser coagulation
Of the undoubted advantages that are inherent in this manipulation, we can especially note:
- non-invasive penetration;
- the ability to be treated on an outpatient basis;
- treatment sessions last approximately 20 minutes;
- there is no need for preoperative preparation;
- no need for general anesthesia.
The consequences of the procedure include the development of postoperative corneal edema. But you should not be afraid of this, because in a very short period of time it will disappear on its own. Deformation of the pupil may become noticeable as a result of inflammation of the iris.
If a narrow beam of laser radiation is used for treatment, then vitreous detachment and sudden loss of vision as a result of severe ischemia of the optic nerve are possible.
In case of poor-quality laser coagulation, complete loss of night vision, decreased visual acuity, and narrowing of visual fields are possible.
Very rare complications of the procedure include the possibility of cataracts and increased intraocular pressure. But these consequences are very individual.
Laser coagulation of the retina during pregnancy
If a woman already has retinal detachment or is at risk of it, then gynecologists try to play it safe and offer a cesarean section. Although there is no direct evidence that natural childbirth contributes to retinal detachment.
The technique is absolutely safe for women of any age group. It does not involve taking harmful medications, including anesthetics. Even the patient’s history of severe cardiovascular diseases will not be an obstacle to the procedure.
That is why you need to agree to carry out the manipulation so as not to risk your own health and the life of the child. By the way, laser coagulation on the retina is done up to 35 weeks from the conception of the baby.
Additional information: prices, reviews, videos
The price of the procedure is determined by the number of quadrants that will be treated, so the price range is significant. As a rule, the cost ranges from 3,000 to 50,000 rubles. Much depends on the reputation of the ophthalmological center that offers treatment using this method.
Be sure to read reviews about the procedure, side effects, and duration of remission. It’s better to watch a video where they talk about the nuances of behavior after the procedure in an accessible form. Advice from medical professionals will not be superfluous, because the result of the treatment largely depends on the patient.
