Lasers have excelled as a tool for eye surgery and are used to treat many diseases that may affect different parts of the eye. The laser treatment itself usually takes a short time to perform, and in most cases, the treatment is painless and non-traumatic.

What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a blinding disease that affects the macula (middle of the retina) in 1 or both eyes. AMD destroys the central vision necessary for reading, driving, and performing other daily tasks.

There are 2 forms of AMD: wet and dry. The most common, dry AMD, occurs when the tissues of the macula break down or become thin, causing a small - but growing - blind spot in the middle of your field of vision. As dry AMD worsens, new blood vessels grow, which can cause wet AMD. When wet AMD occurs, these new blood vessels break and leak blood and fluid under the macula, which quickly causes vision loss.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of AMD?

Straight lines, such as telephone poles, appear wavy
Type in books or newspapers appears blurry
Dark spots or empty spaces appear in the center of your vision.

Who Is at Risk for AMD?

More than 15 million Americans 60 years and older suffer from AMD. The cause is unknown, but the risk for AMD increases with age. Those at greatest risk are older, Caucasian, blue-eyed women with a family history of AMD. Smoking, high blood pressure, and a high-fat diet also increase your chances of getting AMD.

What Else Can I Do?

Control high blood pressure
Eat a diet low in fats and high in fruits/vegetables
Protect your eyes from sunlight
Quit smoking

How Is AMD Treated?

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for dry AMD, although research continues. When detected early, wet AMD can be treated with laser surgery to remove the leaky blood vessels and prevent further sight loss.

Lourdes Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center has been designed with you in mind. Lasers for use in eye treatments are conveniently located in a comfortable hospital setting. Every possible effort will be made to make your stay at Lourdes as comfortable as possible.

Lourdes Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center is located on the main floor inside the Atrium. Convenient parking is available in Lot "D". As you turn into the main entrance of the Hospital, proceed past the Emergency Room and Oncology entrances to Parking Lot "D" at the rear of the hospital. The parking area is labeled "Ambulatory Surgery Parking". Please enter the hospital through the Ozanam Entrance at the rear of the hospital. proceed to elevators 1 & 2 and take them to the Main floor. As you get off the elevators, there is a hallway to the right; follow this hallway to the Atrium located on your left. Please check in with the Secretary in the Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center. The entrance is located across from the gift shop/café.

For further information, consult your doctor or call
Lourdes Lourdes Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center at (607) 798-5991.