Laser surgery has many indications for treatment of retinal disorders. Laser surgery is often recommended for people with macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, retinal tears, or detachments, certain types of macular degeneration, or complications form an occlusion within the retina.

Focal laser is indicated for cases of macular edema, due to diabetic retinopathy, complications of  an occlusion, and certain macular degeneration. The laser beam is focused on the damaged retina as determined by the FA.  The main goal of treatment is to stop the leakage, and to prevent further loss of vision. In some patients, all of the leaking spots may be properly treated, but they may continue to leak, or new ones may develop. Additional laser surgery frequently needs to be done in order to stop new leakage, but again, the vision is not likely to improve. A few people may see the laser spots near the center of their vision following treatment. The spots usually fade with time, but may not disappear, causing a certain field of vision loss.

Pan Retinal Photocoagulation (PRP) focuses the laser to the peripheral retina. This application is indicated for patients with PDR or other abnormal vessel formations within the peripheral retina. The laser is placed in a pattern surrounding the central vision, thus, stopping abnormal vessel formation in the peripheral retina. Extensive PRP may cause visual field defects in the patient's peripheral vision.