Ophthalmologists use lasers for a variety of procedures. Many people think of LASIK (used to decrease one’s need for glasses) when they think of a laser procedure but lasers are used for many other reasons. Our laser is state-of-the-art and we perform the following procedures in the office:
Diabetic Laser Procedures
Diabetes damages the blood vessels that nourish the retina and causes the retinal vessels to sprout tiny leaks or microaneurysms. This makes the surrounding retina swell and not work properly. If you have diabetes, it is critical that you see an Ophthalmologist at least once a year to have your pupils dilated and a thorough retinal exam performed. Click here to learn more about diabetic eye disease.
When diabetic eye disease reaches a certain threshold, Dr. Mackey will recommend a laser procedure that can be conveniently performed in the office. There are usually no activity restrictions and recovery is quick.
Dr. Mackey has performed hundreds of diabetic laser procedures. In addition, Dr. Blackburn is a board certified retina and vitreous surgeon with many years of experience treating diabetic eye diseases.
Please contact us for more information regarding diabetic laser procedures.
Post-cataract Laser Procedures
After cataract surgery, weeks or years later, the membrane behind the implant can become cloudy. A YAG laser is used to make an opening in the membrane, thus, restoring vision to the level right after the cataract surgery.
Mackey Vision Center offers these procedures in the office for your convenience. Please contact us for more information on post-cataract laser procedures.
Laser Procedures for Glaucoma
All glaucoma surgery procedures are designed to accomplish one of two basic results: decrease the production of intraocular fluid or increase the outflow of this same fluid.
Laser surgery has become increasingly popular as an intermediate step between medicine and traditional glaucoma surgery. When patients have glaucoma and medicated drops are not working to lower eye pressure, a laser procedure is needed. The most common type of laser surgery performed for open-angle glaucoma is called Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT). The objective of the surgery is to help fluids drain out of the eye, reducing intraocular pressure that can cause damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision.
Mackey Vision Center has a laser in the office to perform this procedure and has performed hundreds. Please contact Dr. Ben Mackey for more information regarding laser surgery for glaucoma.
