Contact probe for the delivery of laser energy

A laser treatment method for an eye, the eye having an optical axis, a pars plana posterior to a pars plicata and a pre-laser treatment intraocular pressure, the method comprising:

• positioning a probe in contact with an outer surface of the sclera of the eye so that a laser energy delivery tip of the probe is oriented transverse to the outer surface of the sclera toward the pars plana of the eye to define a treatment axis that is angularly offset from the optical axis of the eye;
• directing an amount of pulsed laser energy from the oriented laser energy delivery tip of the probe to the pars plana of the eye to a first application site in a target region, wherein the amount is not sufficient to effect therapeutic photocoagulation and is sufficient to maintain a reduction from the pre-laser treatment intraocular pressure;
• and
• repositioning the probe to a plurality of additional application sites while maintaining an orientation of the probe at each application site so that the laser energy delivery tip is transverse to the outer surface of the sclera toward the pars plana with a treatment axis angularly offset from the optical axis of the eye;
• wherein the amount of pulsed laser energy includes multiple pulses directed to the pars plana at additional application sites in the target region and the energy is delivered such that permanent-thermal damage to the pars plicata is avoided.