Final answer:
Laser surgery with a green argon laser is a common treatment for a detached retina, using burns to create scar tissue that secures the retina. Dr. Pete Coffey's stem cell surgery is an innovative method that may become routine if successful in future tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatments for a Detached Retina For a patient with a detached retina, laser surgery is a common treatment. This procedure uses a laser designed to focus on a small spot on the retina.
The intense light from the laser causes burns that result in scar tissue, which helps to hold the retina in place. Using the lens of the eye to focus the light, along with a device that directs the laser output to the eye, the treatment can salvage the patient's vision.
One specific type of laser commonly used is the green argon laser, which is absorbed well by tissues containing blood. This allows for coagulation or 'welding' of the tear. The laser surgery's precision is due to the concentrated wavelength of the laser that is strongly absorbed by the targeted tissue, making it more accurate than other light sources.
Innovative treatments are also emerging, such as the breakthrough surgery performed by Dr. Pete Coffey, where retinal pigmented epithelial cells grown from stem cells were implanted behind the retina to potentially reverse vision loss. This advanced procedure, if successful in more cases, could become routine, much like cataract surgery.