Definition of Photocoagulation

Photocoagulation: The coagulation (clotting) of tissue using a laser which produces light in the visible green wavelength that is selectively absorbed by hemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells, in order to seal off bleeding blood vessels.

Photocoagulation has diverse uses such as, for example, in cancer treatment to destroy blood vessels entering a tumor and deprive it of nutrients; in the treatment of a detached retina; to destroy abnormal blood vessels in the retina; to treat tumors in the eye; etc.