About Photocoagulation
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive outpatient procedure with no surgical incision.Effectively prevents vision loss from conditions like diabetic retinopathy.Targets and seals leaking or abnormal blood vessels with high precision.Can create adhesive scar tissue to prevent or repair retinal detachment.Typically quick, with a procedure time often under 30 minutes.Helps stabilize the eye condition and prevent further deterioration./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diabetic retinopathy, especially proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or diabetic macular edema (DME).
- Retinal tears or holes to prevent progression to retinal detachment.
- Certain types of retinal vein occlusions (branch or central).
- Treatment of abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization) in the retina.
- Some cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly for extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization.
- Peripheral retinal degenerations that are at high risk for causing tears.
- Certain retinal tumors, like retinal hemangioblastomas.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive eye examination including dilation and retinal imaging (OCT, fluorescein angiography).
- Discussion of medical history, current medications, and allergies with the ophthalmologist.
- You may be advised to arrange for transportation home as vision will be blurry post-procedure.
- No need to fast; you can eat and drink normally before the appointment.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or have a history of fainting.
- Eye drops (anesthetic and dilating) will be administered just before the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Temporary blurred vision or sensitivity to light after the procedure.
- Mild discomfort or a feeling of pressure in the eye during treatment.
- Potential for accidental laser burns to the central vision (fovea), which can affect sharp sight.
- Reduced night vision or peripheral (side) vision in extensively treated areas.
- Rare complications include bleeding, increased intraocular pressure, or worsening of macular edema.
- Very rarely, inflammation or infection.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Vision will be blurry for a few hours due to the dilating drops; avoid driving.
- You may experience mild discomfort, which usually subsides quickly. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help.
- Use prescribed anti-inflammatory eye drops as directed to manage swelling and discomfort.
- Avoid rubbing the treated eye and wear sunglasses to protect from bright light.
- You can typically resume most normal activities the next day, but avoid strenuous exercise for a few days.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor healing and treatment effectiveness.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 days for initial discomfort; several weeks for full therapeutic effect
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering photocoagulation in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for photocoagulation in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Manipal Hospital Goa , known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform photocoagulation. MediFyr helps you compare ophthalmologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for photocoagulation compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 5 Thousand – 25 Thousand | 0 days (Outpatient) | ~ 1-2 days for initial discomfort; several weeks for full therapeutic effect | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 17.5 Thousand – 87.5 Thousand | 0 days (Outpatient) | ~ 1-2 days for initial discomfort; several weeks for full therapeutic effect | Know More |
Top hospitals for Photocoagulation in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ophthalmology teams and experience managing patients undergoing photocoagulation.
Sara Chopra, a 28-year-old software developer,...
Sara Chopra, a 28-year-old software developer, had been managing Type 1 diabetes since she was 12. During a routine eye exam, her optometrist noticed tiny, balloon-like swellings (microaneurysms) and small hemorrhages in her retinas, early signs of diabetic retinopathy. Sara was referred to Dr. Rao, an ophthalmologist. Over the next 18 months, despite excellent blood sugar control, her condition progressed to 'proliferative diabetic retinopathy,' with fragile new blood vessels growing on her retinas, risking severe vision loss from bleeding or retinal detachment. Dr. Rao recommended pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) to stop this progression. During the procedure, Sara felt anxious but experienced only mild discomfort from the bright laser flashes and the pressure of the contact lens. Her vision was blurry and dim for a few days afterward. At her 6-month follow-up, the abnormal vessels had regressed significantly. Sara felt a profound mix of fear before the procedure, worried about her future career and independence, and immense relief afterward. She now attends regular screenings with a sense of proactive control rather than dread.
Ophthalmologists for Photocoagulation
Explore experienced ophthalmologists who regularly perform photocoagulation and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 28 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 23 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
- 15 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Ranchi, Ranchi
- 16 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 13 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Ophthalmologist