Eye Laser & Laser Therapy

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Laser Therapy

Since the invention of the laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) in the early 1960s, its application to the eye quickly found its way into the treatment of various eye diseases.

The Eye Center Nymphenburger Höfe has a wide range of established eye laser systems for treating retinal defects, eye diseases related to diabetes or vascular occlusions, as well as for the treatment of posterior capsule opacification and glaucoma.

Laser therapy is almost always painless; only in exceptional cases is a local anesthetic required.

Laser Therapy for Retinal Defects (Retinal Foramina)

When the vitreous body of the eye detaches from the retina over the course of life, tears and holes can develop in the retina (retinal foramina) at the remaining attachment points.

Symptoms such as light flashes or dark particles in the visual field (“soot rain”) indicate possible damage and are serious warning signs. Occasionally, the patient’s visual acuity may also decrease. If you notice such signs, it is advisable to see an ophthalmologist within the next few days.

Retinal holes can be potential triggers of retinal detachment. To prevent detachment, laser coagulation with the argon laser is often performed. The laser fixes the retina along the edge of the hole to the underlying choroid. This seals the hole outward and prevents retinal detachment.

If laser treatment is not possible due to the size or location of the hole, cryotherapy (cold treatment) under local anesthesia can often still be performed to treat the hole.

Laser Therapy for Diabetic Retinal Changes and Vascular Occlusions

Diabetes can cause changes to the retina. The risk of these changes increases with poorer metabolic control. If changes have already occurred, laser treatment is often necessary to prevent progression. Vascular proliferations, hemorrhages into the vitreous cavity, and macular edema are common reasons for such treatment.

The type of laser treatment depends on the underlying disease. Here are some procedures described:

Panretinal Laser Coagulation

Panretinal means that the entire retina is treated. In diabetes, reduced blood flow can lead to oxygen deficiency in the retina. This deficiency can cause abnormal blood vessel growth and hemorrhages into the interior of the eye. By applying laser treatment at many tiny spots on the retina, the oxygen demand is reduced, which inhibits the growth of unwanted blood vessels. The freed resources then benefit the remaining retina.

A similar approach is used in the treatment of retinal vascular occlusions.

Focal Laser Coagulation

Leaking blood vessels can cause macular edema. In such cases, focal laser treatment targeting only a specific area of the retina can often help stabilize the remaining vision. By forming scar tissue, it can also reduce the edema.

Laser Therapy for Macular Changes (Central Serous Retinopathy, Diabetic Macular Edema, Drusen)

The gentle, subtle laser enables treatment at the macula without causing thermal scarring. The extremely short micro-pulses allow a “subthreshold” treatment in which the retina remains intact without coagulation. With the micro-pulse mode, many diseases such as Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) or Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR) can be treated.

In addition to laser therapy, depending on the disease and its course, other options such as intravitreal drug injection or vitrectomy are also available. Of course, we also offer other procedures, including FemtoLASIK, FemtoCataract, nanosecond-assisted cataract surgery, vitreolyse, or laser-based glaucoma treatment using the SLT method.