Pan-retinal Photocoagulation

Many diabetes patients suffer from diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina, rupture, and leak into the eye, eventually reaching a stage at which vision is obscured. Pan-retinal photocoagulation can slow or stop this process by using a laser to burn the blood vessels, cutting off the flow, and to stop the creation of new blood vessels in the affected areas.

There is some loss of vision, since the burned spots on the retina no longer receive light signals, but this is less than the loss of vision that results if the condition is not treated.

Learn more about diabetic retinopathy treatment.