Laser photocoagulation is an easy and short intervention on the retina of the eye. It reduces or destroys abnormal structures in the retina or intentionally causes the formation of retinal scars to prevent its detachment (ablation).

Laser photocoagulation is used to treat a number of retinal conditions, such as retinal detachment, retinal degeneration, vitreoretinal traction, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, retinal vein occlusion.

Laser photocoagulation is an outpatient procedure that is important to be performed in a timely manner to maintain visual acuity.

Laser photocoagulation also causes the newly created blood vessels to retract and new ones to form, reducing the risk of bleeding inside the eye and loss of vision altogether. As a method of treatment it is effective in approximately 80% of patients.

This procedure is applied to people who have retinal changes as a result of:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal hole
• Retinal degeneration
• Macular edema
• Retinal venous occlusion
• Retraction with the possibility of retinal detachment.

The need for laser photocoagulation is determined by a subspecialty examination consisting of refraction, visual acuity measurement, ocular pressure measurement and fundus examination – examination of the anterior and posterior segment of the eye.

If necessary, OCT – optical coherence tomography is performed as well as additional diagnostic examinations at the request of the surgeon.

After the examination, the patient receives the report and the results of the diagnostic tests.

There is no special preparation before the treatment.

Laser photocoagulation takes place in an outpatient setting, with local anesthesia of the dilated pupil.

The laser ophthalmologist makes small burns in the affected areas, creating connective tissue that, depending on the diagnosis, seals the retinal hole, stops the leakage of abnormal thin-walled blood vessels, or slows their growth.

The patient may experience light flicker or a tingling sensation while the doctor is laser treating them. This procedure can be repeated several times if necessary.

Vision after laser photocoagulation will be blurred because the pupils are dilated. Mild sensitivity in the treated eye is normal that lasts for a day or two.

After two weeks, a laser examination of the regions of the retina is performed. The examination determines whether additional treatment is necessary.

Your ophthalmologist may advise a short period of limited activity (2-3 days after the laser treatment) before normal activities can be resumed.

We do not have cooperation with the Health Insurance Fund for this method.

For more information contact us by phone 02 3097 000 or electronically at contact@sistinaoftalmologija.mk.

The package includes: preparation before treatment.

There is an opportunity to pay in installments without interest and additional costs.

You can learn more about the payment method on the current price list of Sistina Ophthalmology.