Eye Surgery at Mission Hospital
When you have an eye disease or injury, your world shifts. Things that used to be simple become difficult and you may feel overwhelmed. Sometimes eye disease or injury requires surgery. When this happens, you want experienced surgeons who know how to perform procedures in this small, complex area. You also want to get through the surgery quickly so you can get back to your normal life.
Many ophthalmic surgical procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, and some operations incorporate a microscope for better visualization.
Talk with your primary care provider about surgical options that are best for your circumstances. If you find the need eye surgery, ask for a referral to one of the surgeons on medical staff at Mission Hospital.
Some of the operations performed at Mission Hospital include:
Cataract extraction. A cataract clouds the natural focusing lens of the eye and impairs vision. Cataract surgery is performed under a microscope; the clouded lens is removed and replaced by an implant. Patients almost always see improved vision within four to six weeks.
Cornea transplant. When this transparent coating that helps focus light inside the eye becomes diseased or injured enough to impair vision, it may be replaced with a donor cornea from a tissue donation bank. The donor cornea is sewn into place; this operation is usually performed under general anesthesia.
Glaucoma surgery. Glaucoma causes impairment of the normal drainage of fluid within the eyeball, increasing pressure within the eye to abnormal levels. This outpatient procedure (called a trabeculectomy) involves a small incision in the eye and the creation of a small tissue flap over the incision, allowing a slow release of fluid to the outer eye layers. This helps restore normal pressure within the eye and prevents further damage to the optic nerve.
Reconstructive surgery. These procedures may improve the appearance and function of eyelids and related structure. They include reconstructing drooping, loose or baggy eyelids, clearing tear duct blockages, or repairing injured eyelids. Many of these operations are performed using a laser.
Retinal surgery. Disease or injury can cause the retina—the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and sends visual stimuli to the brain—to tear. This may lead to detachment from the back of the eye. A retinal tear or detached retina should receive immediate treatment to prevent irreversible vision loss. Retinal surgery may include:
- Repair of retinal tears using a laser or cryo-surgery (freezing) techniques.
- Repair of leaking and abnormal blood vessels. Laser treatment is used to seal leaking blood vessels to prevent or reverse swelling. Our ophthalmic surgeons also use lasers to treat abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, a condition caused by diabetes and a leading cause of blindness.
- Repair of a detached retina. There are several ways to repair a detached retina, including using a vitreous gel, injecting a gas bubble, or placing a flexible band around the eye. Once the retina is back in position, the retina is reattached using laser or cryo-surgery techniques.
Contact & Referral Information
Talk with your primary care provider about surgical options that are best for your circumstances. If you find the need eye surgery, ask for a referral to one of the surgeons on medical staff at Mission Hospital.
