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About panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser treatment
PRP laser treatment uses heat to produce small burns scattered across the retina. (The retina is the light sensitive layer of the back of the eye).
We offer this treatment to shrink abnormal blood vessels in your eye, or to prevent them from occuring.
PRP laser does not improve your vision. Our aim is to prevent complications caused by abnormal blood vessels in your retina, which can lead to severe vision loss. You may require 1 or more sessions to achieve this.
Why you need laser treatment
There are several conditions which can lead to the development of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These include:
- Diabetes.
- Retinal vein occlusions (blockage of one of the veins of the retina).
- Ocular ischaemic syndrome (lack of blood flow in the eye due to blockage of the blood vessels of the neck).
- Uveitis (inflammation of the tissues of the eye).
These conditions cause a reduction of the blood flow in the retina. The eye tries to compensate for this by producing new blood vessels. Unfortunately, these are thin and fragile and can bleed easily. They can pull from the retina, causing retinal detachments. They can also grow in places where blood vessels should not grow, such as the site where fluid drains from the front chamber of the eye. This increases eye pressure.
Preparing for treatment
- You can expect to be at the hospital for 2 to 3 hours.
- Take all your normal medicines prior to this treatment.
- You may eat and drink normally, unless a member of our team has advised you not to do so.
- We will give you dilating eye drops to enlarge the pupils of your eyes so that we can see your eye in detail. These drops will blur your vision for 4 to 6 hours.
You will not be able to drive after your appointment so take this into account when planning your visit.
During and after
Laser treatment takes place in the Kingston Hospital outpatient clinic.
We will give you eye drops to widen your pupils and numb your eye. You will sit facing the laser machine and the doctor will place a contact lens on your eye. This will allow the doctor to see into the back of your eye, focus the laser and prevent you from blinking.
During laser treatment, you will see flashes of light. You may feel a stinging sensation, which can be uncomfortable.
The treatment usually takes between 10 and 30 minutes.
Immediately after laser treatment
After laser treatment, your vision will be dim and blurred for a few hours.
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You may want someone to accompany you home after treatment. |
Side effects
Panretinal photocoagulation is generally safe.
Common side effects
- Discomfort during or after the procedure. It is common to feel some discomfort during the procedure. After treatment you may want take your usual pain relief medicine.
- Need for further laser treatment. You may need further sessions, depending on your condition and your tolerance to the procedure.
- Transient (temporary) vision loss. You may experience temporary worsening of your vision on the day of treatment. This is caused by the bright flashing lights during treatment. This usually recovers by the next day.
Rare side effects
- Macular oedema (swelling). The laser can cause swelling in the back of the eye or worsen pre-existing swelling, which can affect your central vision. If necessary, we can treat this.
- Losing peripheral (side) vision, also known as visual field loss. This is rare nowadays because we use newer, safer lasers.
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If you drive and you are having this type of treatment, you must inform the DVLA. (Research shows there is a less than 10% chance of this treatment affecting your ability to drive). |
- Reduced night vision.
- Haemorrhage (bleeding). This can occur if the abnormal blood vessels do not diminish or if they are pulled by the gel of the eye.
Follow-up
We will arrange a follow-up appointment for either a further session of PRP laser, or to check that your eye is responding to the treatment.
If you need urgent help after treatment
Emergency help, hours of operation and referral system
Kingston Hospital Eye Casualty
Galsworthy Road, KT2 7QB
8.30am to 4.30pm (last appointment at 4pm).
Closed on weekends and bank holidays.
Booked appointments only. Call to book on 020 8934 6799.
Western Eye Hospital Emergency Department
153 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5QH
020 3312 6666.
8am to 8.30pm, every day.
Walk in service, no referral required.
Moorfields Eye Hospital
162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD
020 7566 2345 or 020 7253 3411
24 hours a day, every day.
Walk in service, no referral required.
Moorfields Eye Clinic at St George’s Hospital
Tooting, London SW17 0QT
4.30pm to 8.30pm on weekdays, 24 hours on weekends.
Referral via an emergency GP or booked appointment required.
Call to book on 020 7702 5542.
Contact information
Kingston Hospital Royal Eye Unit