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Patient Information - Treatment Procedures
RETINAL LASER TREATMENT
A retinal laser treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure in the office. The actual laser treatment takes approximately 15 minutes but the pupils must be dilated, so the entire visit will last approximately one hour. A drop of topical anesthetic will be applied to the eye to numb the area. The laser beam is bright, but only minor discomfort should be expected. In some instances, an anesthetic injection may be required. If so, the anesthetic will be administered into the tissues around the eye as opposed to the eye itself.
Patients who require an anesthetic injection will leave the office with an eye patch. A contact lens may be applied to the surface of the eye during some laser treatments. If so, the lens will be removed when the procedure is complete. Blurred vision is common after laser treatment and may persist for several days. Irritation or discomfort may also occur and Tylenol is usually sufficient for relief. We do not recommend that patients work or drive home after laser treatment. Normal activities can be resumed the following day.
New laser treatments are currently available for specific retinal diseases. One such treatment involves the infusion of a light-sensitive drug and the use of a cold laser. The laser in this procedure has a special wavelength which targets the drug and spares surrounding tissue. Our physicians will discuss your treatment options with you.
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INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS
Injections of medications into the eye are often indicated for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other conditions which contain abnormal blood vessels. The procedure is performed in the office and is generally well-tolerated. Patients receive injections at varying intervals depending on their condition. Following dilation of the pupil, the eye is prepared with a series of topical anesthetic and antibiotic drops. A lid speculum is used to keep the eye open and a topical antiseptic is used for disinfection. A small amount of medication is then injected into the center of the eye with a tiny needle, followed by antibiotic medication.
Patients are instructed to use antibiotic drops for several days after the injection to prevent infection. It is important to notify us if you experience pain, changes in vision or progressive redness or irritation following the procedure.
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A retinal laser treatment is performed as an outpatient procedure in the office. The actual laser treatment takes approximately 15 minutes but the pupils must be dilated, so the entire visit will last approximately one hour. A drop of topical anesthetic will be applied to the eye to numb the area. The laser beam is bright, but only minor discomfort should be expected. In some instances, an anesthetic injection may be required. If so, the anesthetic will be administered into the tissues around the eye as opposed to the eye itself.
Patients who require an anesthetic injection will leave the office with an eye patch. A contact lens may be applied to the surface of the eye during some laser treatments. If so, the lens will be removed when the procedure is complete. Blurred vision is common after laser treatment and may persist for several days. Irritation or discomfort may also occur and Tylenol is usually sufficient for relief. We do not recommend that patients work or drive home after laser treatment. Normal activities can be resumed the following day.
New laser treatments are currently available for specific retinal diseases. One such treatment involves the infusion of a light-sensitive drug and the use of a cold laser. The laser in this procedure has a special wavelength which targets the drug and spares surrounding tissue. Our physicians will discuss your treatment options with you.
Back to top
INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS
Injections of medications into the eye are often indicated for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other conditions which contain abnormal blood vessels. The procedure is performed in the office and is generally well-tolerated. Patients receive injections at varying intervals depending on their condition. Following dilation of the pupil, the eye is prepared with a series of topical anesthetic and antibiotic drops. A lid speculum is used to keep the eye open and a topical antiseptic is used for disinfection. A small amount of medication is then injected into the center of the eye with a tiny needle, followed by antibiotic medication.
Patients are instructed to use antibiotic drops for several days after the injection to prevent infection. It is important to notify us if you experience pain, changes in vision or progressive redness or irritation following the procedure.
Back to top