Which laser-based treatment targets the retina to treat diabetic retinopathy by coagulating tissue?

Which laser-based treatment targets the retina to treat diabetic retinopathy by coagulating tissue?

• A. Laser Photocoagulation
• B. Pneumatic Retinopexy
• C. Laser Iridotomy
• D. LASIK

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how laser therapy can directly treat the retina in diabetic retinopathy by coagulating retinal tissue to control disease progression. Laser Photocoagulation uses focused laser energy to create precise burns in retinal tissue. These burns seal leaking microvessels and destroy nonfunctional retina, which reduces edema and suppresses the stimulus (VEGF) that drives abnormal new vessel growth. By lowering the retina’s oxygen demand and stabilizing the retinal environment, this treatment helps prevent vision loss in both macular edema and proliferative retinopathy. Pneumatic retinopexy is a procedure to reattach a detached retina using a gas bubble, not a treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Laser iridotomy creates a hole in the iris to relieve angle-closure glaucoma, not a retinal therapy. LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct refractive error, with no retinal coagulation involved.

The concept being tested is how laser therapy can directly treat the retina in diabetic retinopathy by coagulating retinal tissue to control disease progression. Laser Photocoagulation uses focused laser energy to create precise burns in retinal tissue. These burns seal leaking microvessels and destroy nonfunctional retina, which reduces edema and suppresses the stimulus (VEGF) that drives abnormal new vessel growth. By lowering the retina’s oxygen demand and stabilizing the retinal environment, this treatment helps prevent vision loss in both macular edema and proliferative retinopathy.

Pneumatic retinopexy is a procedure to reattach a detached retina using a gas bubble, not a treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Laser iridotomy creates a hole in the iris to relieve angle-closure glaucoma, not a retinal therapy. LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct refractive error, with no retinal coagulation involved.