What Is Prophylactic Laser Eye Treatment?

A prophylactic laser procedure is used in state-of-the-art eye treatments to prevent the further spread of retinal damage. During the laser treatment, an eye doctor surrounds the retinal defect with a targeted laser application. The laser treatment promotes a greater adhesion of your retina to the back wall of your eye, keeping your retina in place and preserving your sight.

Prophylactic laser treatment also reduces post-surgical risks associated with the treatment for vitreoretinal disorders. Considered laser eye surgery, the prophylactic laser is among the more advanced laser surgeries used in eye treatment by ophthalmologists today, including the eye specialists at Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY).

During an eye examination, your eye doctor uses leading-edge equipment for your diagnosis. From an accurate diagnosis, your ophthalmologist creates a personalized treatment plan. Depending on what you need, the plan may include in-office procedures including prophylactic laser eye surgery or other surgical procedures, such as:

• Vitrectomy
• Lensectomy
• Retinotomy or retinectomy
• Keratectomy

What Are the Symptoms of Retinal Detachment?

Retinal detachment is an eye emergency that happens when a thin layer of tissue on the retina pulls away from its normal position. The detachment separates blood vessels that supply oxygen and other nutrients from the retina cells. The main causes of retinal detachment are eye injuries and advancing age. Other risk factors include diabetic retinopathy, myopia and family history. Symptoms of retinal detachment include:

• Flashes of light in one or both eyes
• Sudden increase in dark spots, called floaters, in your vision
• Blurred vision
• A curtain or dark shadow over your field of vision

Failure to treat retinal detachment can lead to permanent loss of vision in the affected eye. Your eye doctor carries out diagnostic imaging of the eye and then reviews your medical history. From the evaluation, your ophthalmologist may recommend immediate retinal detachment surgery through prophylactic laser eye surgery.

What Else Can a Prophylactic Laser Eye Treat?

With advances in eye laser treatments, doctors have identified prophylactic laser treatment for a wider range of eye conditions. Eye conditions your eye doctor can treat using prophylactic laser eye surgery include:

• Macular degeneration
• Retinal tears
• Macular holes
• Diabetic retinopathy

Your experienced ophthalmologist at VRMNY relies on prophylactic laser treatment for any eye disorder that increases the risk of retinal detachment. The procedure is also effective in reducing the risk of complications after a surgery for vitreoretinal disorders. Such complications include macular edema, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and development of vision-threatening retinopathy.

What’s the Benefits of Prophylactic Laser Eye Surgery?

Prophylactic laser treatment is among the biggest innovations of eye treatment today. Prophylactic laser eye surgery is among the most advanced laser procedures used in eye treatment. Some advantages of the eye procedure include:

• It’s a step ahead in increased efficiency and precision in eye treatment.
• The technology protects your vision by correcting eye disorders.
• It’s a less invasive approach to eye treatment.
• You can expect reduced pain and discomfort from the procedure.
• It promotes recovery after surgery for vitreoretinal disorders.

The high risk of retinal breaks during vitrectomy makes prophylactic laser retinopexy an important part of the procedure. The laser treatment is also effective as a preventive measure for other eye conditions. During your initial consultation, your ophthalmologist at VRMNY explains the steps of the procedure in full. During your discussion, you can ask questions so you understand the benefits completely.

How Is Prophylactic Laser Treatment Performed?

Prophylactic laser retinopexy is a painless in-office procedure, but your doctor may do it in an operating room if you had prior surgery to treat a retinal disorder. Through this laser eye surgery, eye doctors today can prevent complications associated with many types of retinal detachment, such as an RRD. Your NYC ophthalmologist may also use the laser treatment as a preventive surgical procedure for other eye disorders for which the risk of retinal detachment is high. The main steps in prophylactic laser treatment involve:

• Ophthalmologist consultation. A top eye doctor examines your eye to determine the underlying problem. An accurate diagnosis identifies whether a laser treatment is the best solution for you.
• Preparation. If your doctor believes prophylactic laser treatment can help you, the preparation differs depending on whether the procedure is part of a vitrectomy or if it comes afterward. Your eye doctor cleans your eye and applies topical anesthetic drops to prevent any discomfort.
• Laser treatment. The eye specialist identifies the retinal defect and directs laser light on it. The procedure prevents the fluid in the eye from flowing through the tear, which would cause a retinal detachment.
• Post-treatment. After the procedure, you may feel some pain, but the doctor recommends over-the-counter pain medication as a temporary solution. If you notice any complications, such as the reappearance of sudden floaters, contact your eye doctor immediately.
• Follow– Your ophthalmologist schedules a follow-up eye check to confirm the impact of your prophylactic barrage laser procedure.

The eye specialists at the VRMNY support locations in Manhattan, Westchester and Brooklyn. They use the most advanced treatment techniques to prevent eye detachment and protect your vision. With years of researching and performing innovative eye treatment techniques, these eye doctors continue to help New Yorkers of every age. Contact a top eye doctor today at the nearest office of the Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York. It’s the best decision you can make for your eye health.