Focal Macular Grid Treatment
People with diabetes are at risk of developing several kinds of diabetic eye diseases. One of these is macular edema, which is often asymptomatic until vision loss starts to occur. Leaking blood vessels within the retina will seep into the center of the macula, causing inflammation due to the accumulation of fluid.
Focal macular grid treatment is aimed at preventing further leakage by sealing off damaged blood vessels. The treatment consists of placing several hundred small laser burns in a grid-like pattern in the areas of retinal leakage around the macula. This procedure can effectively prevent leakage from occurring and reduce the amount of fluid in the retina. The laser used during the procedure precisely targets each individual leaking blood vessel and removes any damaged tissue or scars that may have formed.
Focal macular grid treatment can reduce a patient's risk of vision loss. This in-office procedure is performed after a topical anesthetic has been applied to numb the eye. Focal macular grid treatment is generally completed in a few minutes and usually requires just one session.