Four eyes (6%) in a study of 71 eyes with exudative senile maculopathy had complications that were directly attributable to treatment with argon laser photocoagulation. The specific cause in each case is discussed, with the common factor being excessive heat energy in relation to the energy-absorbing characteristics of the particular tissue involved, eg, a pigmented or hemorrhagic area. Great care, experience, and control are necessary to avoid complications in laser treatment of this disease.