Eye Surgery at UPMC Mercy

Emergency and Trauma Eye Care

UPMC Mercy is a Level I trauma center with the ability to care for patients with serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. The doctors of UPMC Vision Institute Mercy are on call 24/7 to provide emergency eye care.

Our ophthalmologists have the experience and resources to treat all emergency and trauma vision needs, including those resulting from eye trauma, chemical burns, infections, and medical emergencies (such as a detached retina).

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact a UPMC Vision Institute Mercy ophthalmologist immediately or go directly to the nearest Emergency Department for treatment:

Blind spots
Blurred vision
Double vision
Flashes of light
Floaters in great numbers
Sudden intolerance to bright light
Poor central vision
Trauma to the eyes, eye socket or face*

* Blunt force injuries can damage interior parts of the eye that may not be obvious until long after the incident occurred.

Same-Day Eye Surgery

Thanks to minimally invasive surgical techniques, most eye surgeries today can be performed as same-day, outpatient procedures at UPMC Mercy. For most patients, minimally invasive surgeries typically mean smaller incisions, less bleeding, fewer infections, and faster recovery times.

Same-day eye surgeries performed by UPMC Vision Institute Mercy ophthalmologists include:

Cataract surgery
Cornea transplant surgery
Cosmetic surgery (including eyelid lifts and brow lifts)
Diabetic eye treatment (laser retinopathy)
Eye muscle surgery
Glaucoma surgery
Laser vision correction (allowing patients to see without glasses or contact lenses)
Retinal surgery (UPMC’s only Pittsburgh-based hospital to offer this procedure as same-day surgery)
Vitrectomy

Inpatient Surgery

Patients with complex eye problems, eye cancer, or who have experienced eye trauma may require inpatient surgery and hospitalization. UPMC Vision Institute Mercy ophthalmologists will work with you to determine the best course of action for your vision needs.