1. Eye Diseases and Conditions Slideshow Pictures
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3. Laser Eye Surgery Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John D. Sheppard, MD, MMSc

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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A diversity of surgical treatments are being investigated for exudative age-related macular degeneration lesions that may not qualify for laser treatment, including macular translocation to a healthier area of the eye, displacement of submacular blood using gas, and removing membranes by surgery. Results of the Submacular Surgery Trial published in 2004 showed that surgery for hemorrhagic choroidal neovascular lesions did not increase the chance to stabilize or improve visual acuity, but it reduced the risk of severe vision loss.

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