Retinal Laser Treatment in Long Beach, CA
Retinal lasers offer a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment option for a wide range of serious eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, and retinal detachments. At Apex Retina Institute in Long Beach, CA, board-certified ophthalmologist Darren Knight, MD, and his team use cutting-edge retinal laser technology to perform precise, targeted procedures right in our Long Beach office. Call (562) 534-1777 today to find out if retinal laser treatment is right for you, or book your appointment online.
What Are Retinal Lasers?
Retinal lasers use highly focused beams of light energy to treat diseases and injuries affecting the retina — the thin, light-sensitive layer of nerve tissue at the back of the eye responsible for capturing visual information and transmitting it to the brain. By delivering precise bursts of energy to targeted areas of the retinal tissue, retinal lasers can seal leaking blood vessels, close retinal tears, destroy abnormal tissue, and reduce swelling — all without the need for incisions or traditional open surgery.
Retinal laser procedures are generally well-tolerated, performed on an outpatient basis, and carry a lower risk profile than conventional surgical approaches. They have been used in ophthalmology for decades and remain a cornerstone of retinal disease management, offering durable results for a wide range of conditions. At Apex Retina Institute, Dr. Knight uses the latest laser technology to deliver accurate, effective treatment with the comfort and safety of every patient as a top priority.
What Eye Conditions Can Be Treated With Retinal Lasers?
Dr. Knight and the Apex Retina Institute team use retinal laser therapy to treat a variety of retinal and vitreous conditions. Retinal tears and retinal detachments are among the most urgent indications for laser treatment — laser photocoagulation can seal a retinal tear before it progresses to a full detachment, making early intervention critical. Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema (DME) are also commonly treated with laser therapy, particularly panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), which reduces the stimulus for abnormal blood vessel growth across the retina. Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and associated macular edema can benefit from targeted laser treatment to reduce fluid accumulation and protect central vision. In patients with macular degeneration, laser therapy may be used in select cases to target abnormal blood vessels that are leaking beneath the retina. Retinal lasers can also be used to treat symptomatic vitreous floaters — Dr. Knight directs the laser at dense clumps within the vitreous to break them apart and reduce their visibility in the field of vision.
What Does Retinal Laser Treatment Involve?
Retinal laser procedures at Apex Retina Institute are performed entirely in our Long Beach office as a comfortable outpatient procedure — no hospital stay required. Because your vision will be temporarily affected by dilating drops and you will not be able to drive following the procedure, please arrange for a friend or family member to bring you to your appointment and take you home afterward.
When you arrive, you will be seated in a comfortable reclining chair. Dr. Knight begins by administering anesthetic eye drops to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure, followed by dilating drops to widen your pupils and provide a clear view of the retina and surrounding structures. Once the drops have taken full effect, Dr. Knight uses a handheld laser device — guided with precision using a specialized contact lens placed gently on the surface of the eye — to deliver controlled bursts of focused light energy to the targeted areas of the retina.
Depending on the condition being treated, the laser energy may be used to coagulate and seal leaking or abnormal blood vessels, close a retinal tear or hole to prevent fluid from passing beneath the retina, reduce areas of ischemia (poor blood supply) in proliferative retinal disease, or break up dense vitreous floaters. The specific parameters of the laser — including the wavelength, power, and spot size — are carefully adjusted by Dr. Knight based on your diagnosis and the area of the retina being treated. Most retinal laser procedures are completed within 30 to 60 minutes, and patients are typically able to return home the same day.
What Is Recovery Like After Retinal Laser Treatment?
Recovery from retinal laser treatment is generally straightforward. Following your procedure, Dr. Knight will prescribe steroid eye drops to be used daily for a specified period to help reduce inflammation and support the healing process. It is normal to experience some mild blurring, haziness, or light sensitivity for a day or two after treatment as your eye adjusts — these effects are temporary and typically resolve on their own.
Most patients are able to return to work and normal daily activities the following day. However, Dr. Knight recommends avoiding strenuous physical activity, including exercise and heavy lifting, for at least one week following the procedure to reduce any risk of increased intraocular pressure or disruption to the healing tissue. You will be scheduled for a follow-up visit at Apex Retina Institute to allow Dr. Knight to assess your response to treatment and confirm that the laser has achieved the intended effect. Some conditions — such as diabetic retinopathy — may require more than one laser session to achieve optimal results, and Dr. Knight will outline a complete treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. To learn more about retinal laser treatment at Apex Retina Institute in Long Beach, CA, call (562) 534-1777 or request an appointment online today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retinal Laser Treatment
Is retinal laser treatment painful?
Most patients tolerate retinal laser procedures very well. Dr. Knight applies anesthetic eye drops before beginning to minimize any discomfort, and a contact lens is placed on the eye to stabilize it and optimize the laser’s precision. During the procedure, some patients notice brief flashes of light or a mild stinging sensation, but significant pain is uncommon. If you have any concerns about your comfort during treatment, the Apex Retina Institute team is happy to address them ahead of your appointment — call us at (562) 534-1777.
How many retinal laser sessions will I need?
The number of laser sessions required depends on the condition being treated and how your eye responds to initial treatment. Some patients — such as those with a single retinal tear — may require only one session. Others with more widespread conditions like diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion may need multiple treatment sessions over several weeks or months. Dr. Knight will establish a personalized treatment plan and use retinal imaging at each follow-up visit to monitor your response and determine whether additional laser treatment is needed.
Can retinal lasers be used alongside eye injections?
Yes — in many cases retinal laser therapy and intravitreal eye injections are used together as a complementary treatment strategy, particularly for conditions like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion. Anti-VEGF injections address abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid at the cellular level, while laser treatment can reduce the area of ischemic retina driving that growth. Dr. Knight will determine the most effective combination approach based on your individual diagnosis and imaging findings.
Can retinal laser treatment prevent retinal detachment?
Yes — one of the most important applications of retinal laser treatment is the prevention of retinal detachment. When a retinal tear or hole is detected early, Dr. Knight can use laser photocoagulation to create small, controlled burns around the tear that form a scar, effectively sealing the edge of the tear and preventing vitreous fluid from passing beneath the retina to cause a detachment. This is why prompt evaluation at the first sign of floaters or flashes is so important.
Are there any side effects of retinal laser treatment?
Retinal laser treatment is safe and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients. Temporary side effects can include mild blurring or haziness for one to two days following the procedure, increased light sensitivity, and occasional mild discomfort or a feeling of pressure in the eye. In rare cases, patients may notice a small reduction in peripheral or night vision, particularly after more extensive panretinal photocoagulation for advanced diabetic retinopathy — though this trade-off is typically preferable to the vision loss that untreated disease would cause. Dr. Knight will discuss all potential effects with you before your procedure.
Does Apex Retina Institute accept insurance for retinal laser treatment?
Apex Retina Institute accepts a wide range of insurance plans to help make retinal laser care accessible to patients throughout Long Beach, CA and the greater Los Angeles area. Retinal laser procedures for medically indicated conditions are typically covered by Medicare and many major insurance plans. Visit our insurances page to review accepted plans, or call our office at (562) 534-1777 to verify your specific coverage before your appointment.
How do I schedule a retinal laser consultation at Apex Retina Institute?
To schedule a retinal laser consultation at Apex Retina Institute in Long Beach, CA, call our office at (562) 534-1777 or request an appointment online. If you are a new patient, visit our new patients page to learn what to bring and what to expect at your first visit. Our team is here to guide you through every step of your care.