Specifications

76 III For Providers
The EyePACS Handbook: Tools for Program Success
If the bleeding is severe, patients may need a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy.
During a vitrectomy, blood is removed from the center of the eye.
How is macular edema treated?
Macular edema is treated with laser surgery. This procedure is called focal laser
treatment. A doctor places up to several hundred small laser burns in the areas of
retinal leakage surrounding the macula. These burns slow the leakage of fluid and
reduce the amount of fluid in the retina. The surgery is usually completed in one
session. Further treatment may be needed.
A patient may need focal laser surgery more than once to control the leaking fluid. If
the patient has macular edema in both eyes and requires laser surgery, generally only
one eye will be treated at a time, usually several weeks apart.
Focal laser treatment stabilizes vision. In fact, focal laser treatment reduces the risk of
vision loss by 50 percent. In a small number of cases, if vision is lost, it can be improved.
What happens during laser treatment?
Both focal and scatter laser treatment are performed in a doctor's office or eye clinic.
Before the surgery, the doctor will dilate the pupil and apply drops to numb the eye.
The area behind the eye also may be numbed to prevent discomfort.
The lights in the office will be dim. The patient will sit facing the laser machine, and the
doctor will hold a special lens to the eye. During the procedure, the patient may see
flashes of light. These flashes eventually may create a stinging sensation that can be
uncomfortable. The patient will need someone to drive them home after surgery.
Because the pupil will remain dilated for a few hours, patients should also bring a pair of
sunglasses to wear.
For the rest of the day, the patient’s vision will probably be a little blurry. If the patient
experiences pain, the doctor may suggest treatment.
Laser surgery and appropriate follow-up care can reduce the risk of blindness by 90
percent. However, laser surgery often cannot restore vision that has already been lost.
That is why finding diabetic retinopathy early is the best way to prevent vision loss.
What is a vitrectomy?
If the patient has a lot of blood in the center of the eye (vitreous gel), they may need a
vitrectomy in order to restore their sight. If they need vitrectomies in both eyes, they
are usually done several weeks apart.