Photocoagulation Therapy Health Article

PERIODICALS

Arevalo, J. Fernando, et al. "Retinal Detachment in Myopic Eyes after Laser in situ Keratomileusis." Journal of Refractive Surgery, 18 (November–December 2002): 708–714.

Dellone-Larkin, Gregory, and Cecilia A. Dellone. "Retinal Detachment." eMedicine, August 10, 2001 [March 21, 2003]. <www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic504.htm>.

El-Asrar, A. M., and S. A. Al-Kharashi. "Full Panretinal Photo-coagulation and Early Vitrectomy Improve Prognosis of Retinal Vasculitis Associated with Tuberculoprotein Hypersensitivity (Eales' Disease)." British Journal of Ophthalmology, 86 (November 2002): 1248–1251.

Foroozan, R., B. P. Conolly, and W. S. Tasman. "Outcomes after Laser Therapy for Threshold Retinopathy of Prematurity." Ophthalmology, 108 (September 2001): 1644–1646. Greenberg, P. B., and C. R. Baumal. "Laser Therapy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment." Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 12 (June 2001): 171–174.

Lee, E. S., H. J. Koh, O. W. Kwon, and S. C. Lee. "Laser Photocoagulation Repair of Recurrent Macula-Sparing Retinal Detachments." Yonsei Medical Journal, 43 (August 2002): 446–450.

Vakili, Roya, Shachar Tauber, and Edward S. Lim. "Successful Management of Retinal Tear Post-Laser in situ Keratomileusis Retreatment." Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 75 (2002): 55–57.

van Meurs, J. C., et al. "Postoperative Laser Coagulation as Retinopexy in Patients with Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treated with Scleral Buckling Surgery: A Prospective Clinical Study." Retina, 22 (December 2002): 733–739.

Wu, Lihteh, and Carlos Cabezas. "Retinal Detachment, Exudative." eMedicine, June 28, 2001 [March 24, 2003]. <www.emedicine.com/OPH/topic407.htm>.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Ophthalmology. P. O. Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120-7424. (415) 561-8500. <www.aao.org>.

American Optometric Association. 243 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141. (314) 991-4100. <www.aoanet.org>.

Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS). 610-1525 Carling Avenue, Ottawa ON K1Z 8R9 Canada. <www.eyesite.ca>.

Diabetic Retinopathy Foundation. 350 North LaSalle, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60610. <www.retinopathy.org>.

Wills Eye Hospital. 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. (215) 928-3000. <www.willseye.org>.

Rebecca Frey, PhD

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?

Laser treatment of retinal detachment is performed by an ophthalmologist, who has specialized in the medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmology is one of 24 specialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Photocoagulation therapy for retinal detachment is done as an outpatient procedure, either in the ophthalmologist's office or in an ambulatory surgery center.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• What are my chances of having normal vision after the laser therapy?
• What is the likelihood of my needing another laser treatment?
• Am I likely to develop retinal detachment in my other eye?
• How often should I schedule preventive eye examinations from now on?