Question
I have had laser surgery 3 times for bleeds in my retina. My retina specialist says it is not the laser that causes the vision loss each time but it is the diease. This is confusing because each time he does the laser treatment I lose more vision when my vision is good and clear prior to the laser. Each time gets blurrier and affects my long and lcose vision. Can you clarify what occurs to vision each time the laser is performed?
Answer
Dear Kathy,
The bleed needs to be stopped ...otherwise it spreads and in your line of vision you see a shadow.
If not lasered in time (Argon), then this can cause more damage to your vision.
The Argon laser only coagulates the active bleed.
For this your eyes need to be dilated well (the effect of this dilation makes vision fuzzy even when recovering).
Also, the blood that has escaped in the retina has to be absorbed before you start seeing better, until this absorption, vision is poor.
It may also help to speak to your doctor to find out if there are any other retinal issues which prevent you from better vision.
Best,
Hope this helps,
Dr Anand Shroff
www.shroffeye.org
