Different types of lasers are used in different eye conditions.
After-cataract or posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is easily treated using YAG laser.
Cataract surgery can now also be done using Femtosecond laser.
Diabetic eye disease and complications of vein occlusions are treated using hot (argon) laser.
Wet AMD /PCV and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) may be treated using both hot (argon) laser and cold laser (PDT).
Retinal tears and peripheral retinal degenerations are treated with hot (argon) laser.
Types Of Laser Treatments
After-cataract, also known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is the clouding of the natural partition behind the lens implant a few years after cataract surgery. About 20% of people who have had successful cataract surgeries will develop significant PCO within 3 years. PCO causes vision to become blurred again but this is easily treated using a simple and quick Yag laser. Only 1 Yag treatment is needed for each eye per lifetime as PCO does not return after a Yag has been performed.
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| Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) developing behind the lens implant a few years after surgery. |
The PCO is removed after “Yag laser” treatment and vision is restored again.Cataract surgery can now also be done using Femtosecond laser. This new technology is particularly useful in complex or very dense cataracts where the laser helps to soften the cataracts so they may be removed more quickly and safely.
Femtosecond laser softening a hard cataract.Read on for more information on Femtosecond cataract surgery (FLACS).
The “multipurpose” argon laser is commonly used to treat retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic maculopathy and complications of vein occlusions. It is also used in some forms of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).
It is called “hot” laser because heat is used to seal edges of retinal tears or destroy abnormal areas of retina.
A newly developed U-tear is sealed using hot laser treatment to prevent a retinal detachment.
As the name suggests, the purpose of this cold laser is to treat without burning. It is used in place of hot laser when the area to be treated is too close to or at the central fixation point of the eye (macula). Cold laser reduces the risk of scarring compared with hot laser, and is gentle enough to deal with the very delicate macula area.
It is usually used for specific macular conditions like polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) or central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR).
During cold laser/ PDT, a photosensitive dye (Visudyne) is injected into the body before a special laser can be applied.
Why Choose Dr. Nikolle Tan as Your Laser Treatment Specialist?
FAQs
Laser treatments are done as day surgery procedures and no overnight admission is needed.
Hot laser can now be delivered by a pattern scanning laser machine which can deliver laser spots at of very short durations. In addition, it can also deliver multiple laser spots simultaneously. This means treatment can now be done more efficiently and with little or no discomfort.
Laser treatment is usually done after numbing eye drops are applied to the eye. General anaesthesia is never needed.
The scanning laser system delivering multiple laser shots simultaneously.PDT requires for a photosensitive dye to be injected into the body, usually via a vein in the hand or forearm. A special laser is then used to selectively treat the diseased area without damaging the normal parts of the macula.
No hospitalization is required after the procedure. However, the photosensitive dye injected into the body may react with strong light. Therefore, you are advised to avoid strong light (afternoon sunlight or even strong dental surgery lights!) for a few days to avoid “sun burn” to the exposed parts of the body.
Yes, you can return to your daily activities the day after the treatment. As there are no incisions, no special care is needed. However, if you had cold laser /PDT, you should follow instructions on avoidance of strong lights and sunlight.
If you are given eye drops, you should follow instructions for their usage.