169 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905
Phone: 607-798-5991
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.
Don't Let Glaucoma Sneak Up on You!
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disorder characterized by increased pressure in
the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP).
While the causes of glaucoma are still unknown, elevated IOP is
the primary treatable risk factor associated with the disease.
When IOP is too high, it puts pressure on the optic nerve and
slowly causes vision loss. Vision loss starts on the outside of the
visual field, making things look fuzzy around the edges. If
open-angle glaucoma goes untreated, the fuzzy edges slowly close in
until the entire visual field is black.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is often called "the sneak thief of sight" because it
does not have any early warning signs. However, the following
symptoms strongly suggest that you need to have your eyes checked
for glaucoma:
- Some loss of peripheral (side) vision
- Poor long-distance vision (nearsightedness)
- Difficulty adjusting to a dark room
- Blurred vision or sore, red eyes
Who is at Risk for Glaucoma?
In the United States alone, 2 to 3 million people older than 40
years of age have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Those at
greatest risk are people of African ancestry, those with a family
history of glaucoma, and people with diabetes or severe
nearsightedness.
What Else Can I Do?
There is no way to restore lost vision, so it is important to
catch and treat glaucoma early. Getting your eyes checked regularly
is the only way to find out if you have glaucoma. Be sure to learn
about your family's history of eye problems and to tell your eye
doctor about any risk factor you have or symptoms you may have
noticed.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
The primary treatment goal in patients with glaucoma is to lower
IOP. This can be done with medications, lasers, or with
surgery.
The Facts About Glaucoma Surgery
Why Would I Need Glaucoma Surgery?
Glaucoma surgery is necessary only after medications have failed
to control eye pressure. If your eye pressure is still too high and
is causing further damage to your optic nerve, your ophthalmologist
may suggest surgery.
What Happens During Glaucoma Surgery?
The purpose of glaucoma surgery is to increase fluid drainage
from the eye. Creating a way for the fluid to escape allows your
eye pressure to decrease. There are 2 types of glaucoma surgery -
laser and conventional.
In laser treatment surgery, your surgeon will hold a special
lens to your eye and aim a high-energy beam of light at the lens.
This lens helps reflect the light onto the meshwork inside your
eye. The laser makes 50 to 100 evenly spaced burns that stretch the
drainage holes in the meshwork and allow fluid to escape. This
procedure is very effective at lowering pressure, but often the
effects wear off over time. In fact, after 2 years, a second
surgery is needed in more than half the patients who receive laser
treatment.
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 of the hospital inside the
Atrium.
Convenient parking is available in Lot G.
- Use the West Drive to enter the Lourdes Hospital campus
(located at the traffic light at Riverside Drive and Kneeland
Avenue).
- Proceed down the West Drive to the second stop sign. The
Ambulatory Care Center and the new Main Entrance to the Hospital
will be on your left.
- Turn right to park in Lot G.
- Enter through the new Main Entrance.
- Pass the reception desk then turn left to enter the main
hospital.
- Proceed down the hallway to elevators 1 & 2.
- Take elevators 1 & 2 to the main floor.
- As you get off the elevator, there is a hallway to the
immediate 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 to the Center 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.
