The laser seals the blood vessels that are leaking fluids into the macula. The patient is given a drop of anesthetic in the affected eye. The surgeon uses a foot pedal to direct the laser beam at exact spots in the retina needing treatment. The patient sees a brief flash of light. This process is repeated many times.
Treatment usually lasts less than half an hour.
Initial treatments usually include three sessions per eye. When the vitreous is clouded by blood and scar tissue, blindness may result. Today, new surgical techniques make it possible to remove blood and scar tissue from that part of the eye through a process called vitrectomy. This surgery cleans out the vitreous and makes the area transparent again so that light can get through to the retina. Vitrectomy is a complex microsurgical procedure requiring general anesthesia and a two-hour operation.