What does it involve?

The laser is essentially applied in two ways. The first method is transpupillary thermotherapy, which involves heating the tumour mass for a few minutes to damage the chromosomes in the tumour cells and cause eventual atrophy. The other is photocoagulation at over 60º, which involves burning the vascularisation of the tumour to prevent the tumour mass from reaching the bloodstream by causing atrophy due to lack of blood supply. Firstly, the laser is applied to the artery that carries blood to the tumour base, then, to the tumour base, which is atrophied, and, finally, to the vein, which returns blood from the tumour base to the bloodstream.

When is it carried out?

Vascular tumours are the most common tumours to be treated with the laser, because they are the ones that require more blood supply and are, therefore, ideally suited to laser treatment.

Prior examination

In terms of vascular tumours, it is important to ensure that a systemic disease, such as Von Hippel Lindau syndrome, has not caused the tumour in the eyeball. Von Hippel Lindau syndrome is directly transmitted from parents to children and can affect both sexes; as well as suffering from tumours in the retina, patients can develop tumours in the brain, especially in the cerebellum and adrenal glands, and other locations. The disease can affect several organs and must be treated early, if it affects the eye, because, otherwise, in spite of intraocular tumours being benign, they can cause a significant loss of vision. This systemic disease usually affects both eyes.

Before the surgery

Patients should avoid strenuous exercise after surgery.

Surgery

The laser’s impact spot must be relatively large with a long exposure time and moderate intensity to avoid rupturing the blood vessels during treatment.

Risks

There are no significant risks to take into account.

Associated pathologies

FAQs

IMO Institute of Ocular Microsurgery

Josep María Lladó, 3
08035 Barcelona
Phone: (+34) 934 000 700
E-mail: international@imo.es
See map on Google Maps

By car

GPS navigator coordinates:
41º 24’ 38” N – 02º 07’ 29” E

Exit 7 of the Ronda de Dalt (mountain side). The clinic has a car park with more than 200 parking spaces.

By bus

Autobus H2: Rotonda de Bellesguard, parada 1540

Autobus 196: Josep Maria Lladó-Bellesguard, parada 3191

Autobuses H2, 123, 196: Ronda de Dalt – Bellesguard, parada 0071

IMO Madrid

C/ Valle de Pinares Llanos, 3
28035 Madrid
Phone: (+34) 910 783 783
See map in Google Maps

Public transport

Metro Lacoma (líne 7)
Autobuses:

  • Lines 49 & 64, stop “Senda del Infante”
  • Line N21, stop “Metro Lacoma”

Timetables

Patient care:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

IMO Andorra

Av. de les Nacions Unides, 17
AD700 Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra
Phone: (+376) 688 55 44
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IMO Manresa

C/ Carrasco i Formiguera, 33 (Baixos)
08242 – Manresa
Tel: (+34) 938 749 160
See map in Google Maps

Public transport

FGC. Line R5 & R50 direction Manresa. Station/Stop: Baixador de Manresa

Timetables

Monday to Friday, 08:30 A.M – 13:30 PM / 15:00 PM – 20:00 PM

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