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Laser Eye Surgery in Baton Rouge, LA 
Expert Retinal Surgery Specialist

Lasers used for eye surgery have come a long way since their introduction just six decades ago. Today, many different types of lasers can be used safely on the eyes, and some can be used to address retinal conditions. Laser eye surgery, when appropriate, is a safe and comfortable treatment for many retinal conditions and it can be done in-office here at Louisiana Retina. There is usually little to no discomfort, and there is minimal downtime afterwards. It’s important to note that retina laser eye surgery is not vision correction surgery like LASIK, but rather laser treatment is used to treat and control conditions that could worsen your vision.

How does laser eye surgery work?

Most lasers used to address retinal conditions work by utilizing a focused, intense beam of light. Some lasers utilize a pattern or scatter of light for specific retinal conditions. The retina is light-sensitive unlike the cornea, vitreous, and lens; because of this, the laser can pass through these structures to the retina without damaging them in order to treat a number of retinal diseases and problems. When the light reaches the retina, it converts into heat, or thermal energy, and can be absorbed by the retinal tissue. This absorption of thermal energy causes microscopic intentional scarring to close off leaking blood vessels, stop retinal tears, or stop growth of abnormal blood vessels or tissue. Common conditions our specialists treat with laser surgery include diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, lattice degeneration, and retinal holes.

Treatment Day

At Louisiana Retina, our focus on your retinal health means we want you to feel comfortable by knowing what to expect on the day of your laser eye surgery. Your total office visit time should be less than one hour. Before beginning your laser surgery, we will instill eye drops to dilate your eye. Numbing eye drops will be placed. In some cases, a numbing injection will be used, but your doctor will have discussed this with you prior to the day of surgery. Depending on the surgery being completed and the type of equipment the retina specialist is using, you may be sitting upright or lying flat. Sometimes a special contact lens is placed to help keep your eyelid open and to magnify the structures of your eye. During the procedure, you’ll be awake and you’ll see bright flashes of light as the laser is working. Because laser surgery is non-invasive, the procedure is usually painless. Some discomfort may be felt but is typically manageable.

After Laser Eye Surgery

Immediately after surgery, your vision may be blurry and your eyes may be sensitive to light due to dilation. This will improve within minutes to hours. If you experience any discomfort, rest and over-the-counter pain medications will help. Complete healing of your retina can take up to four weeks. You should exercise caution to limit activities as your doctor advises for the entirety of time advised. Many patients feel comfortable to drive themselves to and from their appointment, while others choose to bring a driver with them.

If you are looking for modern and compassionate retinal care, we’d love to have you visit our clinic. Click here to contact us and schedule an appointment!

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