WHAT IS ARGON LASER SURGERY?
Argon laser surgery has been used successfully on the eye since 1970. The laser beam is a high energy light that turns to heat when it is focused on the parts of the retina to be treated. This light energy is precise, controlled and convenient. The ophthalmologist controls the laser carefully by choosing a wavelength (color) that the eye tissue being treated can absorb, focusing the laser beam precisely on the problem area, and controlling the power and time of exposure. Argon laser surgery is used for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal breaks and detachment, and other retinal abnormalities.
