Visual field
Patients with a symptomatic retinal tear or another peripheral lesion judged high risk by a retina specialist. Patients with selected local peripheral detachment that can be safely demarcated with laser.
About the service
Laser photocoagulation creates controlled treatment spots in selected retinal areas. Its purpose and pattern depend on the condition, from surrounding high-risk changes to treating ischaemic and vascular disease.
Who the service is for
Proliferative changes
Patients with preproliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy when panretinal photocoagulation is indicated.
Treatment of ischaemic changes
Patients with ischaemic changes after retinal vein occlusion when laser is part of the treatment plan.
The macular area
Patients with selected local vascular or macular lesions where focal laser has a defined clinical purpose.
Additional treatment
Patients after previous retinal laser when follow-up shows new areas requiring additional treatment.
Myopia
Not every peripheral degeneration or asymptomatic lesion requires prophylactic laser. High myopia or pregnancy alone is not a sufficient indication without a retinal lesion that warrants treatment. Established extensive retinal detachment usually cannot be managed by laser alone. Large-volume panretinal photocoagulation can affect peripheral and night vision;
Glaucoma and eye pressure
Large-volume panretinal photocoagulation can affect peripheral and night vision; temporary blur from dilation, inflammation, retinal oedema or IOP change can occur after laser.
Travel after the appointment
The pupil may be dilated on the treatment day, so confirm driving and accompaniment arrangements in advance.
When urgent care is needed
Seek urgent review for severe pain, sudden visual loss, a new curtain or a marked increase in flashes and floaters. If you develop new flashes, a sudden shower of floaters, a dark curtain or a new visual-field defect, you need urgent retinal assessment rather than a routine laser booking.
Results and documents
Bring previous OCT/OCT-A, fluorescein angiography, ultrasound and records of retinal laser or vitreoretinal surgery.
General health
If you have diabetes, recent glucose and HbA1c data are useful.
Limitations and safety
Not every peripheral degeneration or asymptomatic lesion requires prophylactic laser.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Laser surgeon consultation
Symptoms, duration, diabetes, vascular disease and previous laser or surgical treatment.
Stage 2
Fundus examination
Fundus examination with a special contact lens and a dilated pupil; OCT, OCT angiography, fluorescein angiography, ultrasound or other tests are added when necessary.
Stage 3
Laser treatment plan
Prophylactic peripheral coagulation or barrage, panretinal, focal, paravascular, sectoral or another indicated method.
Stage 4
Anaesthesia
On the day of the procedure, the pupil is dilated, local anaesthetic drops are used and a special lens is placed on the eye.
Stage 5
Laser photocoagulation
The number of burns and treatment stages is not fixed universally.
Stage 6
Postprocedure review
A check is performed after the procedure; the timing of the next examination and restrictions depend on the diagnosis, extent of photocoagulation and coexisting conditions.
Service benefits
Containing an at-risk area
For suitable peripheral tears, laser helps form adhesions around the area and reduce the risk of detachment spreading.
Treatment for vascular changes
In suitable retinopathies, laser photocoagulation helps control the effects of ischaemia and abnormal blood vessel growth.
Targeted treatment
Laser treatment is directed at specific retinal areas according to the diagnosis and examination results.
Monitoring changes
Follow-up examinations help assess the retinal response to treatment and identify the need for further stages in time.
Methods comparison
Colour applies only to the individual criterion: green = more favourable; yellow = situation dependent; red = limitation; grey = neutral/not directly comparable. It is not an overall ranking.
Criterion
Peripheral prophylactic / barrier
Panretinal photocoagulation
Focal / sectoral / paravasal retinal laser photocoagulation
Primary objective
Create a barrier around a tear or high-risk peripheral area
Reduce ischaemic drive for pathological neovascularisation
Treat a local vascular/retinal target
Typical area
Peripheral retina
Broad peripheral retina
Limited retinal area
Typical diagnosis
Retinal tear or selected high-risk peripheral lesion
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Selected vascular or local retinal conditions
Treatment stages
Often one, but depends on extent
Often staged
Depends on target and area
Key limitation
Does not treat established extensive detachment
Can affect peripheral/night vision
Requires precise target; not suitable for every macular oedema
Peripheral prophylactic / barrier
Primary objective
Typical area
Typical diagnosis
Treatment stages
Key limitation
Create a barrier around a tear or high-risk peripheral area
Peripheral retina
Retinal tear or selected high-risk peripheral lesion
Often one, but depends on extent
Does not treat established extensive detachment
Reduce ischaemic drive for pathological neovascularisation
Broad peripheral retina
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Often staged
Can affect peripheral/night vision
Treat a local vascular/retinal target
Limited retinal area
Selected vascular or local retinal conditions
Depends on target and area
Requires precise target; not suitable for every macular oedema
Clinical situations
Colour applies only to the individual criterion: green = more favourable; yellow = situation dependent; red = limitation; grey = neutral/not directly comparable. It is not an overall ranking.
Clinical scenario
Role of laser
When laser alone is insufficient
Next pathway
Symptomatic tear without extensive detachment
Demarcate the tear with laser burns
If broad detachment is developing or traction is complex
Vitreoretinal surgeon
Asymptomatic lattice/peripheral degeneration
Prophylactic laser is not automatically required
Observation may be appropriate if high-risk features are absent
Periodic peripheral retinal examination
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
PRP is a standard primary treatment for many patients
Persistent activity, macular oedema, vitreous haemorrhage or traction
Anti-VEGF / vitrectomy when indicated
Macular oedema
Focal laser is useful only in selected scenarios
Centre-involving oedema often needs another treatment route
OCT and intravitreal therapy by diagnosis
Opaque media / dense vitreous haemorrhage
Laser may be technically impossible
Safe retinal visualisation is not possible
Ultrasound, retina review, vitrectomy when indicated
Role of laser
Symptomatic tear without extensive detachment
Asymptomatic lattice/peripheral degeneration
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Macular oedema
Opaque media / dense vitreous haemorrhage
Demarcate the tear with laser burns
Prophylactic laser is not automatically required
PRP is a standard primary treatment for many patients
Focal laser is useful only in selected scenarios
Laser may be technically impossible
If broad detachment is developing or traction is complex
Observation may be appropriate if high-risk features are absent
Persistent activity, macular oedema, vitreous haemorrhage or traction
Centre-involving oedema often needs another treatment route
Safe retinal visualisation is not possible
Vitreoretinal surgeon
Periodic peripheral retinal examination
Anti-VEGF / vitrectomy when indicated
OCT and intravitreal therapy by diagnosis
Ultrasound, retina review, vitrectomy when indicated
Book an appointment
Book a consultation with a KazRIED retinal laser surgeon. After examining the retina, the doctor will decide whether laser is indicated, which pattern is appropriate and whether one session, staged treatment or another method is required.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
Panretinal photocoagulation, 1 stage, (per eye)
from 39 000 ₸
Panretinal photocoagulation, 1 stage, (per eye)
from 39 000 ₸
Focal retinal photocoagulation, (per eye)
from 39 000 ₸
Laser barrier for retinal degeneration, 1 quadrant, (per eye)
from 16 500 ₸
Peripheral prophylactic retinal photocoagulation, (per eye)
from 26 000 ₸
Grid retinal laser photocoagulation, (per eye)
from 39 000 ₸
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 30 years
Ophthalmologist
Umbetiar Almas Bekimuly
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 23 years
Ophthalmologist
Abelkarieva Zhanara Abdrakhmangalievna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 49 years
Ophthalmologist, Laser Treatment Unit
Silkin Vasiliy Pavlovich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 7 years
Ophthalmologist, Laser Treatment Unit
Shaykenova Asiya Dulatovna
PhD Student
Experience: 5 years
Ophthalmologist, Laser Treatment Unit
Gallamov Diyar Muratkalievich
Retinal laser photocoagulation: purposes and follow-up
Laser photocoagulation creates localized thermal burns in selected areas of the retina. The type and extent of treatment depend on the diagnosis.
What is laser photocoagulation used for?
For retinal tears and selected peripheral lesions, laser burns are placed around the area at risk to form chorioretinal adhesions and limit the spread of fluid beneath the retina.
In preproliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, panretinal photocoagulation is used when indicated to treat ischemic retinal areas and reduce the stimulus for pathological neovascularization.
Focal, paravascular, or sectoral photocoagulation is used for more localized treatment goals.
What are the limitations?
Laser treatment does not restore retinal cells that have already died. It does not replace vitrectomy for extensive retinal detachment, marked traction, or opaque media that prevent safe visualization of the target.
Retinal photocoagulation is not intended to change the glasses prescription and does not replace corneal laser vision correction.
How is the need for treatment determined?
The laser surgeon determines the type and extent of treatment after a dilated fundus examination and additional tests when indicated.
The treatment goal depends on the retinal findings: creating a preventive barrier, treating an ischemic area, or performing localized photocoagulation for a specific diagnosis.
If prophylactic peripheral laser photocoagulation has been recommended before refractive surgery, pregnancy, or another intervention, the final decision should be based on the peripheral retinal findings. The degree of myopia or the planned procedure alone should not be the sole indication.
Follow-up after photocoagulation
The monitoring schedule depends on the reason for treatment and its extent. The clinician assesses the laser-treated areas, peripheral retina, macula, and vascular changes.
In diabetic retinopathy, laser treatment does not replace blood glucose and blood pressure management or regular follow-up. Intravitreal medications may be needed when macular edema is also present.
New tears or areas of degeneration may develop outside the previously treated area, so further examinations remain necessary.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is retinal laser photocoagulation?
It is targeted laser treatment applied to selected areas of the retina. Depending on the condition, laser may be used to create a barrier around a retinal tear, treat ischemic retina or achieve other therapeutic goals.
How does prophylactic peripheral laser differ from panretinal photocoagulation?
Prophylactic peripheral laser usually surrounds a specific tear or another high-risk peripheral lesion. Panretinal photocoagulation, or PRP, treats a much broader area of peripheral retina and is mainly used for diseases involving retinal ischemia and pathologic neovascularization.
Does every retinal tear need laser treatment?
No. Management depends on tear type and location, symptoms, vitreoretinal traction, subretinal fluid and individual detachment risk. Some tears require prompt retinopexy, while others may be observed.
Does every peripheral retinal degeneration need preventive laser?
No. Many asymptomatic peripheral retinal lesions are low risk and do not require prophylactic photocoagulation. Treatment decisions are based on retinal examination, lesion type and individual risk factors.
Is high myopia alone an indication for prophylactic retinal laser?
No. High myopia increases the risk of some peripheral retinal abnormalities and retinal detachment, but laser treatment is based on retinal findings rather than refractive error alone.
Does every pregnant patient with myopia need prophylactic retinal laser?
No. Pregnancy and the degree of myopia alone are not sufficient indications for prophylactic laser. Treatment is based on peripheral retinal findings and specific pathologic lesions.
Can retinal detachment be treated with laser alone?
Some retinal tears are treated with laser before detachment develops, and laser may occasionally form part of management for a small localized detachment. An established extensive detachment usually requires surgical repair.
Why is panretinal photocoagulation used in diabetic retinopathy?
PRP treats a broad area of ischemic peripheral retina and reduces the stimulus for pathologic new-vessel growth. It is used primarily for proliferative diabetic retinopathy and selected other ischemic retinal conditions.
For proliferative diabetic retinopathy, is PRP or anti-VEGF used?
PRP remains an established treatment, particularly for high-risk PDR. Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy is also an effective alternative for selected patients. Choice depends on retinal findings, macular oedema, ability to maintain regular follow-up and other factors.
Can anti-VEGF injections be needed after PRP?
Yes. Anti-VEGF may be used for coexisting diabetic macular oedema, persistent or recurrent neovascular activity and other clinical situations. Laser and injections can complement each other.