The present invention involves selectively breaking down or altering a
blocking tissue by irradiating the blocking tissue with a laser
irradiation. Breaking down the blocking tissue allows the delivery of
therapeutic agents through the blocking tissue to a target tissue. An
area of the blocking tissue is selected for treatment. The selected area
is irradiated with a laser to induce an alteration or breakdown of the
blocking tissue. Areas not irradiated are not affected. Once the selected
area of the blocking tissue is treated, a therapeutic agent can be
delivered to the selected area and passed through the altered or broken
down blocking tissue to the target tissue. The blocking tissue will then
undergo a healing response after a period of time. The present invention
may be used to treat the retina or subretinal space of a patient's eye
through the blocking tissue of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE).