The Patient, Age 62, Has Had Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus for 20

The patient, age 62, has had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus for 20 years and has symptoms of proliferate diabetic retinopathy. He is scheduled for his first panretinal photocoagulation treatment. The nurse explains to him that the purpose of this procedure is to

A) destroy the retina, which is not getting enough blood supply.
B) reduce edema in the macula of the eye.
C) vaporize fatty deposits that appear in the retina.
D) destroy new blood vessels, seal leaking vessels, and help prevent retinal edema.