What are the side effects of laser treatment for retinal diseases?
Mar 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Cui Xin
Introduction
We know that laser therapy for retinal diseases remains highly effective. Compared with certain surgical procedures, laser therapy causes less tissue damage. However, laser treatment does have its own potential side effects, as it is inherently a traumatic intervention—resulting in permanent visual field loss in the treated area.
Laser photocoagulation of the fundus is primarily performed to treat retinal diseases. This treatment involves using high-energy laser beams to destroy pathological lesions and seal abnormal new blood vessels. Although widely used, this procedure delivers relatively high energy, which may inadvertently damage surrounding retinal tissue during treatment, potentially leading to certain complications. So, what are the side effects of laser therapy for fundus diseases? Let’s explore them below.
What Are the Side Effects of Laser Therapy for Fundus Diseases?
Currently, laser therapy remains highly effective for treating various fundus diseases. Compared with conventional surgical interventions, it causes comparatively less tissue damage. Nevertheless, as a minimally invasive but inherently traumatic procedure, laser therapy does carry its own set of potential side effects. For instance, in treating diabetic retinopathy, the laser targets hypoxic (oxygen-deprived) areas—specifically, the non-perfused regions of the retina—to redirect blood flow toward more critical retinal areas. However, once these non-perfused retinal regions are ablated, the corresponding visual field is permanently lost.
Laser therapy can also be used to treat chronic retinal tears, aiming to prevent subsequent retinal detachment. A notable drawback, however, is the relatively high recurrence rate—even after successful sealing, re-tearing may occur. Additionally, lasers are increasingly applied to treat certain macular disorders; yet, if the laser energy is improperly calibrated, it may inadvertently damage the macula.
We hope the above information is helpful to you.
