Abstract: A process for treating an eye to stop or delay the onset or symptoms of retinal diseases includes determining that the eye has a risk for a retinal disease before detectable retinal imaging abnormalities. A laser light beam is generated that provides preventative and protective treatment of the retinal tissue of the eye. At least a portion of the retinal tissue is exposed to the laser light beam without damaging the tissue. The retina may be retreated according to a set schedule or periodically according to the determination that the retina of the patient is to be retreated by monitored visual and/or retinal function or condition.

Abstract: A micro-vitreoretinal (MVR) blade for incising tissue for a transvenous chorioretinotomy and similar procedures includes a shaft with a working tip having a chisel-type edge on its end or leading edge. Various embodiments of the inventive MVR blade have different chisel-type edge structures, such as a latitudinal chisel, an angled chisel, a chevron, a reverse chevron, a concave semi-lunar and a guarded or step-down working tip. The MVR blade may also include drug/chemical coatings, electrification or freezing to promote hemostasis or chorioretinal anastomosis formation.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for stimulating activation of heat shock proteins and facilitating protein repair in cells and tissues in order to take advantage of the remediative and restorative nature of the increased heat shock protein activation or production and the facilitation of protein repair, while not damaging the cells and tissues. This is accomplished by treating a specified target area with an ultrasound or electromagnetic radiation source which is pulsed and applied or focused to one or more small areas in order to achieve the necessary temperature rise or sufficiently stress the cells and tissue to stimulate heat shock protein production or activation and facilitate protein repair, while allowing the temperature to decay sufficiently quickly so as not to damage or destroy the treated tissue.

Abstract: A process for treating an eye to stop or delay the onset or symptoms of retinal diseases includes determining that the eye has a risk for a retinal disease before detectable retinal imaging abnormalities. A laser light beam is generated that provides preventative and protective treatment of the retinal tissue of the eye. At least a portion of the retinal tissue is exposed to the laser light beam without damaging the tissue. The retina may be retreated according to a set schedule or periodically according to the determination that the retina of the patient is to be retreated by monitored visual and/or retinal function or condition.

Abstract: A process for restoring responsiveness to medication in eye tissue, namely retinal tissue, that is unresponsive to medication. The process utilizes a laser source for generating a confluent, contiguous laser light beam. The laser light beam is preferably a subthreshold diode micropulse laser beam which is optically shaped through an optical lens or mask. The tissue is then exposed to the confluent, contiguous laser light beam and allowed to recover for thirty days before administering medication to which the tissue was unresponsive.

Abstract: A process for restoring responsiveness to medication in eye tissue, namely retinal tissue, that is unresponsive to medication. The process utilizes a laser source for generating a confluent, contiguous laser light beam. The laser light beam is preferably a subthreshold diode micropulse laser beam which is optically shaped through an optical lens or mask. The tissue is then exposed to the confluent, contiguous laser light beam and allowed to recover for thirty days before administering medication to which the tissue was unresponsive.

Abstract: A retina phototherapy system having a substantially horizontal working surface with an adjustable, ergonomic headrest assembly. A retina phototherapy device is adjustably disposed on the working surface and generally includes laser optics, a camera, a flat screen monitor, and a control joystick. The laser optics are oriented generally in the direction of the headrest assembly and are configurable so as to focus on a retina of a person using the headrest assembly. The camera is generally coaxially disposed with the laser optics and connected to the monitor so as to project an image of the retina treatment area. The control joystick is configured to micro-adjust a position of the retina phototherapy device in relation to the working surface.

Abstract: A system and process for treating retinal diseases includes passing a plurality of radiant beams, i.e., laser light beams, through an optical lens or mask to optically shape the beams. The shaped beams are applied to at least a portion of the retina. Due to the selected parameters of the beams—pulse length, power and duty cycle—the beams can be applied to substantially the entire retina, including the fovea, without damaging retinal or foveal tissue, while still attaining the benefits of retinal phototherapy or photostimulation.

Abstract: A system and process for treating retinal diseases includes passing a laser light beam through an optical lens or mask to optically shape the light beam. The light beam is applied to at least a portion of the retina. Due to the selected parameters of the laser light beam pulse length, power and duty cycle, the laser light beam can be applied to substantially the entire retina, including the fovea, without damaging retinal or foveal tissue, while still attaining the benefits of retinal photocoagulation.

Abstract: A micro-vitreoretinal (MVR) blade for incising tissue for a transvenous chorioretinotomy and similar procedures includes a shaft with a working tip having a chisel-type edge on its end or leading edge. Various embodiments of the inventive MVR blade have different chisel-type edge structures, such as a latitudinal chisel, an angled chisel, a chevron, a reverse chevron, a concave semi-lunar and a guarded or step-down working tip. The MVR blade may also include drug/chemical coatings, electrification or freezing to promote hemostasis or chorioretinal anastomosis formation.