#retinal laser

There is a disease that is so insidious that it can cause various ailments in the human body. This disease is seldom given much attention by most of us, but it can definitely bring in a lot of maladies and complications within the human body. This disease is called diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that is usually characterized by the inability of the human body to process insulin. Since insulin is critical to the burning of sugar, the body’s inability to process insulin usually produces high or low sugar level within the human body system. Diabetes mellitus, as a disease, can definitely cause many maladies within the human body such as heart disease and diabetic retinopathy, and the latter is the focus of this article.

Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic mellitus often brings its negative effect to the human eye, wherein the capillaries and small blood vessels in the retina leaks. The continuous leaking of these blood vessels, if not treated, can surely cause partial or total blindness. Hence, it is critical that if you are diabetic, you should also be wary of developing diabetic retinopathy. There are various treatments that are often recommended by ophthalmologists for the disease called diabetic retinopathy, and one of these treatments is that of retina laser surgery. Diabetic retinopathy is usually characterized by various symptoms such as those of leaking blood vessels, pale deposits of fats within the retina, damages to the nerve tissues, and retinal swelling. Some tests are usually performed for retinal diabetes such as those of visual acuity, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography, and pupil examination.

The use of laser in the retina laser surgery is aptly right because of the inherent characteristics of laser. Laser can be precisely manipulated to target specific area of the human eye. The eye is a very sensitive organ, and any miscue or misstep on the part of the ophthalmologist would surely have an adverse effect on the human eye. Hence, it is critical that ophthalmologists make use of an equipment that is highly precise; laser is definitely that medical equipment. Second, laser has a photo-ablative effect that can readily evaporate tissues or cells. Lastly, laser has a cauterizing effect, meaning it can burn and seal leaking blood vessels to prevent them from further leaking.

The human eye is definitely fascinating, not only because it provides us with the vision of the world, but because its complexity is awesomely beautiful. If you are going to compare it with the digital camera, you would definitely say that it is an awesome technology that is ingeniously created for the human body to enjoy. The human eye is obviously a product of the evolutionary process of humans, and if you are going to carefully consider the evolution of the human eye from lower form of visual organ to a higher form of visual organ, then you would surely conclude that the evolution of the human eye seems to be arbitrarily guided by some higher intelligence. It is hard to imagine that the human eye, in its present form, had evolved blindly, because there seems to be an ingenious designer that had designed its evolution.

The Wonderful Parts of the Human Eye

The human eye, like an ingenious work of invention, has different parts that all function to make the visual experience of every person possible. There are main parts of the human eye that have important functions for the actualization of the human vision. There are also some parts of the human eye that serve and play support roles to the main parts of the human eye. The main parts of the eye is the cornea, the pupil, the iris, the lens, the retina, and the optic nerve. The other parts of the human eye include the posterior and anterior chamber, the sclera, the choroid, the fovea, the macula, the conjunctiva, the ciliary body, the suspensory ligament zonules, the medial, rectus muscle, and the vitreous body.  

The eye has various coatings to protect it. The third inner coat of the human eye is the retina, which is a light-sensitive coating consisting of light-sensitive tissues. It is in the retina where the optics of the eye create an image of the outside world. The retina functions like the camera film, and once the light reaches the retina, it initiates various electrical and chemical events. These changes in the retina eventually trigger nerve impulses that are carried to the brain by the optic nerve. The entire retina is usually composed of photo receptor cells, ganglion cells, bipolar cells, plus the pigmented   epithelial cells. The growth of retina during the embryonic development of a person came from the outgrowths of the brain that was in the process of development during the early stage of the life of a person. Hence, retina is considered to be part of the nervous system, specifically that of the central nervous system.

Various Diseases that Afflict the Retina

The retina is the largest part of the human eye located at its rear side. It is made of nerve layers that readily sense light and relay images to the human brain. The retina has to be flattened in such a way that it must impinge on the back eye wall for it to efficiently and properly function. However, there are instances when the retina becomes detached from the wall, and this detachment is usually a injurious to the eye and can eventually cause blindness if not given proper treatment.

The Reason behind Retinal Detachment

The human eye is filled with gel-like substances called vitreous humor. As a person ages, the vitreous humor may slowly detach itself from the retina without the person noticing any symptom. In other cases, however, the detachment process may cause a tear on the retina. Then, fluid may eventually flow out of the retina that slowly causes the retina to detach from the back wall of the eye. There are other reasons behind retinal tear and some of these reasons include nearsightedness, glaucoma, cataract surgery, genetic predisposition for retinal tear, weak retina, and previous detachment of the retina.

The symptoms that may indicate a possible retinal tear include seeing a shadow in the peripheral vision, gray curtain that moves across the field of vision, and intermittent flashing lights. These symptoms in some cases may be due to other reasons and may not be indicative of retinal tear; however, if you ever experience some of these symptoms, it would be better for you to have yourself checked-up to get a complete diagnosis of your eye condition.

The Possible Treatment for Retinal Tear The most common treatment for retinal tear is laser surgery (cryotherapy). Retinal surgery like cryotherapy readily attaches or seals the retina back to the wall of the eye. This retina laser surgery may cause very few inconveniences to the patient and it can be easily done over with. Retinal surgery is likewise required if ever the retina is detached completely from the back wall of the eye. The different types of retinal surgery for detached retina and retinal tear include Scleral Buckle, wherein a flexible band or scleral buckle is placed around the eye to prevent the total detachment of the retina or to keep the retina in place. Another treatment is that of Pneumatic Retinopexy, wherein the vitreous chamber is injected with a gas bubble that would slowly push the retina against the back wall of the eye. This gas bubble will eventually disappear after several days.

Another treatment is that of Vitrectomy in which the vitreous gel that is slowly tearing the retina is gradually removed from the vitreous chamber. The removed vitreous humor is then replaced with a gas bubble.

The third coat of the human eye is called the retina, the first and second, being those of the iris and the cornea. The retina is composed of light-sensitive tissues wherein the image of the world is created. When a light, for example, strikes the retina, it initiates a kaleidoscope of chemical reactions and electrical events that eventually produce nerve impulses. These electrical impulses move towards the brain via the optic nerve.

There are basically three layers of cells in the retina, namely, those of photo receptor cells, ganglion cells, and bipolar cells. It is believed that the retinal tissues originated from the brain, and are just offshoots of the developing brain. The retina is part of the nervous system and its tissues are actually tissues of the brain. The photoreceptor cells are sensitive to light and they are composed of the rods, cones, and photosensitive ganglion cells. The axons of the retinal ganglion cells form the optic nerve.

The retina plays a critical role in the function of the eye; however, the retina is not immune to diseases. In fact, there are a number of diseases that may afflict the retina, and some of which may be hereditary and some are acquired. Some of these diseases include retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, retinal separation, cone-rod dystrophy, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, retinoblastoma, and lipemia retinalis.

The tissues of the retina are sensitive tissues, and any damage to these tissues can definitely cause blindness. Yet, there are retinal diseases that necessitate non-invasive treatment and surgery. For this reason, there is a need for a surgical instrument that would allow surgeons to precisely operate on the retina without necessarily affecting the adjacent parts of the retina and its tissues. Good enough, there are lasers that are specifically designed to operate on the soft tissues of the retina. By means of retina laser surgery, some diseases of the retina can be readily remedied.

Retinal Surgeries and Procedures for Various Retinal Diseases and Maladies

The retinal diseases that usually require retinal surgery include diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, age-related macular degeneration, ocular histoplasmosis, retinal detachment, ocular tumors, and central serous chorioretinopathy. In the case of diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions, there is a circulation problem that affects the retina. This circulation problem caused by diabetes can make the blood vessels of the retina to leak that eventually can cause the retina to inadvertently swell. With the use of laser, the surgeon can seal the leaking blood vessels, and thus prevent the bulging or swelling of the retina.

In the case, however, of macular degeneration, as a person ages, the person's macula changes. The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for central reading vision. On the one hand, the macula of a person can experience dry type degeneration which is a less harmful type of macular degeneration. On the other hand, an ageing person can also experience wet type of macular degeneration which is a more serious type of degeneration that needs immediate treatment. The most common types of laser surgeries or procedures for retina include those of the LASIK, IntraLASIK, Photorefractive keratectomy, and laser thermal keratoplasty.      

Retina-related issues are amongst the most common complaints patients with eye diseases or injuries face.  While the treatments of the past were not 100% effective, sufferers of these ailments can now enjoy a significant improvement in their eyesight because of laser surgery.

  Retinal Tears And Detachments

A retinal tear is a small area of the retina which has been torn.  This can lead to a retina detachment.

 A retina detachment is when all of the retina to be lifted from its normal position.  If not treated quickly retinal detachment can result in permanent vision loss. There are different types of retina detachments, including:

 · Tractional

· Exudative

· Rhegmatogenous

  Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is an advanced form of diabetic retinopathy.  Diabetic retinopathy causes diabetic individuals to suffer progressive damage to the retina which can, if left untreated, result in blindness.  This is because diabetes damages the blood vessels in the retina.  These blood vessels then leak blood and other fluids which cause the retinal tissue to swell. Overtime vision will become increasingly cloudy or blurred.

  Retinopathy Of Prematurity

Also known as ROP, this is a disease which typically occurs in premature babies.  Retinopathy of prematurity is when abnormal blood vessels grow in an infant's retina, which can then cause the retina to come completely apart from the back of the eye.  This can lead to blindness.  

Some cases of ROP are very mild and will self-correct.  Others will require laser treatments to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels.

 Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

Commonly referred to as BRVO, branch retinal vain occlusion is caused when there is a blockage of small veins in the retina. This condition typically comes about when the retinal arteries which have been thickened by atherosclerosis cross over and then place pressure on the retinal vein.  This can cause the vein to become block at which point nerve cells inside the eye may begin to die.

 Choroidal Neovascularization

Known as “CNV”, choroidal neovascularization is the creation of new blood vessels in the eye's choroid layer.  This is a common cause of “wet” macular degeneration or neovascular degenerative maculpathy.

 How Photocogulation Can Help

Photocoagulating lasers have become the leading way to treat retina-related eye health issues because they are equipped to deliver the delicate work necessary to work in such a sensitive area.  These lasers can be used to seal leaking vessels, destroy any diseased retinal tissue, and create scar tissue so that a torn or detached retina is then held in place.  It has also been effectively used for choroidal neovascularization in which is is able to destroy new blood vessels and prevent any new ones from forming thrombi.

 Choosing a Comprehensive Solution

Clinicians have the option of choosing an easy to use solution with a short learning curve which is also able to deliver outstanding and long lasting results.  Products such as the Lumenis Vision One is a leading solution for treating a variety of retina-related issues.  With feature such as SureSpot™ Optics Technology and advanced voice control, clinicians have more control over the treatment they provide to their patients than ever before.

Lumenis Ltd., a global leader in manufacturing surgical laser devices, has created a line of gold-standard photocoagulators for ophthalmic surgeons to carry out delicate sophisticated retinal laser surgery with ease and efficiency. The Lumenis line of retinal lasers offer the flexibility and versatility needed for surgically treating any type of retinal condition with the best possible results.  

Lumenis' line of gold-standard photocoagulators have been specially designed to offer ophthalmologists cutting edge technology for treating a wide range of retinal diseases. Photocoagulators are laser devices used to cauterize blood vessels with heat applied by means of laser energy.    

Ophthalmologists nowadays need to deal with a wide range of retinal conditions, including:  

·         Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) also known as diabetic eye disease

·         Diabetic macular edema (DME)

·         Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) also known as Terry syndrome, previously known as retrolental fibroplasia (RLF)  

·         Retinal tear and detachment

·         Retinal vein occlusion

·         Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)        

 Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is an eye condition in which the retina is damaged with the risk of becoming blind as a result of diabetes.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the major causes for visual acuity loss among adults from diabetic retinopathy. Among the various therapies that are available for treating DME, retinal laser surgery yields the most long lasting results. Specifically, research has shown that subthreshold laser therapy has far better visual acuity results than regular laser therapy. The reason for this is that subthreshold laser employs low energy and thereby prevents retinal scarring and other types of permanent damage to the retina.  

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal disease which often occurs in prematurely-born babies.  

Retinal tear and detachment can cause vitreous hemorrhage.

Retinal vein occlusion may cause severe damage to the retina and even blindness.

Ophthalmologists today need to deal with a wide spectrum of retinal diseases. In most cases the retina will respond well to laser treatment. The Lumenis family of retinal lasers not only offer a large array of possibilities for retina laser surgery but also help to optimize therapeutic effect for even the most complex retinal procedures.  

Lumenis Vision One is a modular multi-wave Photocoagulator. This device has the option for upgrading the system at any time by means of adding wavelengths as a scanner. In addition, the SureSpot™ Optics Technology allows for sharply defined and evenly distributed power on the retina during medical procedure.

The Lumenis Novus Spectra is a state-of-the-art photocoagulator, which employs diode-pumped solid-state laser technology. The Novus Spectra was carefully designed to ensure optimal results both in the operating room and in the eye clinic.  

The Lumenis Array LaserLink provides new pattern scanning capabilities to photocoagulation lasers. This new feature significantly improves the standard laser treatment.