Eye lasers
Two lasers treat the eye without a cut. One works on the retina, and one clears a hazy membrane or opens a drain.
No cut and no stitches.
Done sitting at the laser, with numbing drops.
Each takes minutes.
The green laser
A green laser delivers tiny, controlled burns to the retina. Applied in a pattern, they seal leaking vessels, hold down the edge of a tear, and quieten areas of the retina that have lost their blood supply. This is photocoagulation.
It is used in diabetic eye disease, retinal tears and some blocked vessels.
The YAG laser
A pulse of focused energy that works without a cut. It can open the clouded membrane that sometimes forms behind a lens implant, months or years after cataract surgery. It can also make a small opening in the iris in narrow-angle glaucoma, so that fluid drains freely.
What to expect
- Numbing drops, and sometimes a contact lens on the eye.
- Bright flashes, and sometimes an ache. It is over in minutes.
- You can usually go home straight away.
- Sight is usually clearer within a day after a capsule opening.
Keep reading.
Book an eye consultation.
Ask for a time, or leave your number and we will call you.
Or call 1800 210 0108, toll-free.
Quick answers.
Is laser treatment safe?
Yes, in experienced hands, with the eye numbed and protected. Your doctor will explain the small risks that apply to you.
Will I need more than one session?
Retinal laser is often done over more than one sitting. A YAG capsulotomy is usually done once.
Pictures not taken by the hospital: MarkPanin, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.