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.
The procedure is very similar to a visit to the eye doctor. You will be seated at a slit lamp device
where you put your chin on a chin rest and the doctor looks into your eye through what looks like binoculars.
Sometimes special lenses are also used. The only discomfort during the procedure may be the bright light
from the lamp.
After the procedure, you may be asked to come to the doctor's office for a checkup late that same day.
Lasers are safe. They allow many conditions of the eye to be treated without traditional surgery, which
means that you can have the procedure done in a comfortable, office-like setting. Remember, your doctor
is the best judge of whether laser treatment is appropriate for you.
Some conditions treatable with lasers are:
Retinal Tears - A sudden onset of flashers or floaters in one or both eyes. Vision may not be
affected.
Diabetic Retinopathy - A condition that can cause blindness or reduced vision.
Macular Degeneration - A severe loss of central or reading
vision.
Glaucoma - Loss of vision caused by this disease can be prevented
most of the time if detected and treated early.
Membranes of the Eye - After cataract surgery or as a result of disease process, clouding can
decrease vision. Lasers can be used to open a hole in these membranes to allow clearer vision. Many
patients are able to see more clearly within a few minutes following treatment.
Though they are state-of-the-art tools, not all conditions can be helped with laser treatments.
Retinal Photography
Your physician may want you to have a series of photographs, either prior to or following laser treatment
of your retina. This light sensitive tissue is locate at the back of the eye. A technician will photograph
the retina with a special camera in a painless and quick procedure. Some patients will require the use
of a dye to help outline the blood vessels in the eye. The dye is injected into a vein in your arm,
and as it flows through the small blood vessels in the eye, a series of photographs will be taken.
Lourdes Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center has been designed with you in mind. Lasers
for use in skin and 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.
How to Get There
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 Ophthalmology Surgery / Laser Treatment Center
at (607) 798-5991.