2020 Ardmore Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
(412) 271 2400
Procedures
Click one of the following procedures, or simply scroll down to read:
Cataract Surgery
Lasers for Diabetic Retinopathy
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) for Glaucoma
Refractive
Surgery
Lasers and Injections for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are the
result of a natural aging process of the crystalline lens inside the eye. As
we age the lens takes on a yellowish hue and can eventually become cloudy
enough to obstruct the passage of light from the front of the eye to the
retina in the back of the eye. Early symptoms of cataract include: glare,
haloes around lights at night, or difficulty reading fine print. One eye may
be more symptomatic than the other.
When the symptoms of
cataracts begin to interfere with normal activities of daily living,
corrective surgery may be indicated. Surgery involves removing the cloudy
lens and replacing it with a plastic intraocular lens. The timing of the
surgery varies from patient to patient and is best addressed after a
thorough examination and discussion with your eye doctor.
Dr. Baker performs cataract surgery at both UPMC-Braddock and West Penn
Hospitals. With today’s state-of-the-art surgical equipment and methods,
most cataract extractions take less than 15 minutes. Patients can expect to
spend less than 3 hours in the hospital and rarely experience more than
minimal ocular discomfort over the first 24 hours. Drops are used for the
following 3-4 weeks to minimize inflammation and prevent infection. These
will be provided to you by the hospital. Most patients are seen in the
office the first day after surgery and then approximately 2 weeks later for
a refraction and dispensing of new glasses if necessary.
For more information:
www.eyecareamerica.org or
www.nei.nih.gov
Lasers for Diabetic
Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in the 35-65
year-old age group. Retinopathy is usually caused by insufficient oxygen
supply or leaky blood vessels in the back of the eye. Fortunately, most of
the serious visual problems from diabetes may be prevented if treatment is
given at the earliest stages of disease. In fact, non-smoking diabetic
patients who strictly adhere to screening guidelines and are treated
appropriately when necessary, have less than a 5% chance of visual loss.
The American Academy
of Ophthalmology recommends that all diabetic patients over the age of 30
have a complete ophthalmologic evaluation shortly after receiving the
diagnosis and then at least yearly thereafter. Type I diabetics diagnosed
prior to the age of 30 may wait 5 years before initiating yearly eye exams.
The screening exams may detect retinopathy well before the patient is aware
of a problem.
When deemed necessary, laser treatments may need to be performed over 1-3
sessions and are usually very well tolerated. These treatments are not meant
to improve vision, but rather to prevent visual decline. They should not be
confused with refractive laser procedures, such as Lasik, performed to
reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses. For more information:
www.eyecareamerica.org or
www.nei.nih.gov.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
(SLT) for Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a slowly progressive deterioration of the optic nerve often
associated with increased pressure in the eye. The optic nerve carries
visual information from the retina in the back of the eye to the visual
processing centers of the brain. Glaucoma can eventually lead to complete
blindness, but initially affects only the peripheral vision and can be
unnoticed by the patient.
Most patients with glaucoma do not experience pain or other ocular symptoms.
Therefore, it is essential that those patients at greatest risk for glaucoma
be screened on a regular basis. Specifically, young adults between the ages
of 20-40 should have at least one screening exam and then follow-up exams
every 2-4 years until the age of 65. After 65, screenings should be
increased to every 1-2 years. For those at higher risk for glaucoma, such as
African-Americans or those with a family history of glaucoma, screenings
should be done yearly.
Glaucoma treatments are aimed at lowering the pressure within the eye. Most
patients are initially prescribed drops on a once or twice daily basis. If
these are ineffective, or if compliance with the regimen or cost of the
medication become problematic, your doctor may offer a laser treatment
called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty(SLT). SLT is a safe, well-tolerated
procedure that can be done right in our office. It typically takes only 5-10
minutes to perform, and most patients are capable of driving home 30-60
minutes after the procedure. For more information on SLT:
www.glaucomaslt.com on glaucoma:
www.eyecareamerica.org ,
www.nei.nih.gov.
Lasers and Injections for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related Macular Degeneration is a deterioration of the
center of
the retina called the macula. The disease may initially be unnoticeable to
the patient but obvious to the physician on screening exams. Though newer
and better treatments for Macular Degeneration have recently been
introduced, it remains the most common cause of legal blindness in those
over the age of 65.
Macular Degeneration may be split into two categories: ‘dry’ and ‘wet’. The
‘dry’ variety is by far the more common and typically causes a very slowly
progressive deterioration of the retina with only mild to moderate weakening
of the central vision. Some ‘dry’ Macular Degeneration patients may benefit
from specially formulated vitamin supplements aimed at slowing the
progression.
‘Wet’ Macular Degeneration occurs when a blood vessel just behind the area
of ‘dry’ degeneration leaks and/or grows into the retina itself. This can
cause a sudden and often catastrophic loss of central vision and should
promptly be reported to your ophthalmologist. Often these vessels can be
treated by a retina specialist with lasers and/or medications injected into
the eye.
For more information:
www.eyecareamerica.org,
www.nei.nih.gov.
Refractive Surgery
Surgical correction of refractive error has become increasingly popular over
the past 10-15 years. LASIK, the dominant refractive procedure in the United
States over the past 8-10 years, has seen steady advances in techniques and
surgical equipment that have served to minimize the complications associated
with this procedure. Nonetheless, the risk for potential complications
exists and any decision to undergo the procedure should be preceded by
thorough counseling regarding these risks. Though neither Dr. Fleming nor
Dr. Baker currently performs refractive surgery, we would be happy to
counsel you regarding the surgery. We would also be happy to make a referral
to one of the excellent refractive surgeons in the Pittsburgh area.
We pride ourselves in maintaining a patient friendly environment.
For your convenience, we have a full-time optician and an optical dispensary with over 500 spectacle frames on site.