Laser Treatments | Surgical Procedures | Other Procedures
NorthShore's Department of Ophthalmology offers a range of the latest treatment options, laser and surgical, to treat common eye conditions and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic diseases. Our multispecialty team provides extensive knowledge and experience in diagnosing ophthalmic conditions in both children and adults, and collaborates to offer the best solutions for each patient who comes through our doors. Our services include:
Laser Treatments
- Iridotomy – Uses a laser beam directed on the edge of the iris to allow fluid to flow in the eye and decrease pressure caused by closed-angle glaucoma.
- Keratectomy (PRK) – Laser surgery in which the cornea’s outer layer is removed to allow a surgeon to access and remove tissue, reshaping the cornea. For more information, you can contact our ophthalmology team or view our FAQ.
- LASIK – Laser surgery that creates a small flap in the cornea in order to remove a small amount of tissue, reshaping the cornea and improving blurred or distorted vision. Treatment is offered through The Eye and Vision Center's LASIK Suite.
- Photocoagulation – A laser cauterizes abnormal blood vessels in the eye to slow the rate of wet macular degeneration.
- Sclerostomy – Uses a laser to remove a small piece of white in the eye to increase fluid drainage and reduce pressure. Used for open-angle glaucoma.
- Trabeculoplasty – A laser makes a small opening in the eye’s meshwork to open a pathway for fluid. Used to treat open-angle glaucoma.
Surgical Procedures
- Aqueous Shunt Surgery – A small implant with a tube attachment is placed underneath the eye’s surface in order to drain fluid from the eye and reduce pressure. Used for closed-angle glaucoma.
- Cataract Surgery – Removing a clouded lens affected by cataracts and replacing with an intraocular lens implant.
- Eye Muscle Surgery – A procedure to reattach the eye muscle further back on the surface of the eye (recession) or shorten and reattach the muscle (resection) to improve the alignment in patients with strabismus.
- Goniotomy – An ophthalmologist uses as special lens (goniolens) to see within the front of the eye and make an opening within the trabecular meshwork, allowing fluid to flow out. This is offered for patients with congenital glaucoma.
- Keratoplasty –Transplanting a donor cornea to replace a diseased one. Used for those who have not responded to other treatment methods or with severe damage as a result of a corneal disease or injury.
- Oculoplastic Surgery – Surgical treatment of problems related to the periocular and facial areas. Oculoplastic surgeons perform surgeries of the eyelid, lacrimal glands tear duct, orbit, blepharoplasty and ptosis repair, as well as removal of eyelid cancers.
- Trabeculectomy – Removal of a piece of tissue in the drainage angle, allowing fluid to drain out into the eye and reduce pressure. This is used to treat open-angle, closed-angle, and congenital glaucoma.
- Vitrectomy – Surgical procedure to remove some of the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye and replace with a solution to make it easier to access the retina and decrease vision loss.
Other Procedures
- Photodynamic Therapy – Injecting light-sensitive medicine into abnormal blood vessels to cause clotting, blocking further growth. This is used for wet macular degeneration.