Laser is the standard treatment for diabetic maculopathy. Laser treatment involves the application of very intense and focused blue or green light onto the retina with the aim of producing a therapeutic burn. Macular laser treatment aims to dry up the areas of leakage and as a result also gets rid of any exudates which are present. Macular laser involves the application of between a few and 200 laser burns to the areas of leakage.

The aim is to prevent waterlogging of the very centre of the retina and to maintain good quality reading vision. The downside is that the burns do reduce the function of the retina just away from the centre and some people are aware of small dots in their vision after laser. Some patients who have undergone laser are also aware of poorer vision in the dark. Laser does not work immediately, rather it takes about 3 to 6 months before the effect is fully seen.

A decision on whether laser treatment has worked and whether more is required is usually taken after 3-6 months. It is important to realise that macular laser does not improve vision. The aim of macular laser is to stabilise vision and/or slow down the rate of deterioration. Very few people who undergo laser surgery will have improved vision afterwards. There are also a number of patients in whom even repeated laser does not work and in such patients alternative treatments (below) might be considered.




Pic : An eye which has undergone successful laser treatment. The round grey/black dots are laser scars and the waterlogging has gone.