The wavelength of the laser used has specific effects on tissues treated. Thus, the type of laser used is chosen based on the tissue layer being treated along with the goals of treatment. Let's take a look at a few of the more common procedures performed on the eye with lasers. The argon laser has been used in treating retinal disorders for over twenty years. This type of laser actually coagulates or burns tissue in order to produce the desired effects.
Diabetic retinopathy is a disorder, which can be treated with the argon laser.
The laser is used to coagulate retinal tissue in diabetic retinopathy. By doing this, fragile blood vessels which are formed in diabetic retinopathy and can break and cause bleeding inside of the eye, undergo regression, thus preventing the hemorrhaging. The argon laser can also be used to treat blood vessel leakage, known as macular edema, which can occur in diabetic retinopathy and also in other retinal diseases. The laser can seal leaking blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of vision loss, which can occur with maacular edema. The argon laser can also be used to treat a condition known as subretinal neovascularization.