Ms Heng's PhD was on the nanosecond laser in preventing age related macular degeneration. She has a special interest in retina lasers and has performed extensive research in the different impact of different time domain lasers on the retina and retina pigment epithelial cells. Her PhD thesis is often used as teaching material for laser teaching for ophthalmologists.
She is also on the faculty for the inaugural Moorfields Eye Hospital Retina Laser Course.

View Ms Heng's PhD here

Lasers for Retina Diseases

Pan Retina Photocoagulation (PRP)

Panretina photocoagulation (PRP) involves using laser to make small burns across the peripheral retina and is used in ischemic conditions where there are new blood vessels growing, for example in proliferative diabetic retinopathy or ischemic vein occlusion.

This treatment will help to shrink new blood vessels. Usually one or more sessions of laser is required for complete treatment.

Macular Laser

Macular lasers are usually used to prevent or treat leakage from tiny blood vessels in the macular.

It is usually used in conditions such as macular oedema from diabetes, vein occlusion and central serous retinopathy.

Ms Heng will discuss the suitability of the case and risks and benefits involved in treatment.

Other Lasers

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the use of a photosensitive dye to transform light into chemical energy; this causes the release of free radicals which then reuslts in localised vascular occlusion ,with cellular destruction and minimal injury to nearby tissues. The procedure involves intravenously administered verteporfin, as the photosensitive dye, followed by the application of infrared laser. It is mainly used for central serous retinopathy and idiopathic polypoidal vasculopathy.

Yag Capsulotomy

Yag Capsulotomy is usually performed after cataract surgery. With age and several other causes, the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy- this is known as a cataract and is removed during cataract surgery with replacement of a plastic lens implant . In a small proportion of patients, following cataract surgery, capsular thickening occurs and this stops the light reaching the back of the eye.

This causes gradual decrease in vision, glare and things start to look hazy again.

The aim of this laser procedure is to make a hole in the thickened lens capsule (also known as laser or yag capsulotomy).