Laser treatment for the central retina (macular laser)
Pupil dilating drops will be placed in the eye under-going treatment. This is to allow a good view of the retina. These drops have a temporary effect to make your pupil appear larger than usual. You will noticed blurred vision in this eye for a period of two to four hours and you will notice some mild sensitivity to light while the drops have an effect. You should not drive while you still have dilated pupils.
Anaesthetic eyedrops are administered to the eye that is being treated to numb the surface of the eye. You will sit at a similar microscope to the one that is used when we examine your eyes. You will rest your chin on the chin rest and head against the bar. After a specific period of 3-5 minutes depending on the treatment required, you will have a special contact lens placed onto your eye to focus the laser beam onto the affected area of the retina. Macular laser takes between 10 and 15 minutes for most patients. The treatment is painless due to the mild settings of the laser, but the bright laser light can cause mild discomfort. After the treatments is complete, the contact lens is removed and you will be able to go home. If you have only needed one eye treated, you will be able to go home immediately. If both eyes are treated, you will usually be able to go home within 30 minutes.
If you’d like to know more about this treatment, or think that you may benefit from a consultation, please get in touch here.