Laser retina therapy can be used to treat different eye conditions that affect the retina and threaten vision.  The most common application is the treatment of a retinal tear, which can be sealed with a laser.

Laser retina therapy is an in-office procedure.  You will sit down in a normal examination chair.  Eye drops are used to numb the eye and dilate the pupil.  Then the laser is used to repair the tear or tears with precisely-targeted laser burns.  Some of these burns may hurt, and if you start to experience pain, the retina can be numbed as well.  Depending on the severity of your tear(s), there may be many or only a few burns necessary, so the procedure can take 15-30 minutes. 

You will probably be unable to drive that day, and you may experience floaters, difficulty focusing, and minor vision problems for a few days, weeks, or months, depending on the severity of your tear.  If you experience discomfort following the procedure, it is usually minor and can be controlled with acetaminophen.  Aspirin or ibuprofen are not recommended because they can lead to blood-thinning that can contribute to bleeding.

To learn more about laser retina therapy, schedule a vision repair consultation with the ophthalmologists at Horizon Eye Care today.