St. Charles Hospital First in Suffolk County Designated a Center of Excellence for GreenLight™ Laser Therapy

St. Charles Hospital is the first facility in Suffolk County that has been designated as a Center of Excellence for GreenLight™ Laser Therapy treatment—a minimally invasive outpatient procedure for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men.

This prestigious honor recognizes the extensive clinical expertise of St. Charles urologist Scott Press, MD. He has performed more than 400 GreenLight Laser therapy cases, changing the quality of life for men diagnosed with BPH -- a condition in which the prostate enlarges and squeezes the urethra, causing frustrating symptoms such as frequent or urgent urination, a weak or interrupted urine stream, and the need to urinate several times a night. This condition affects about 50% of men by age 60, and up to 90% of men by age 85.

“We are delighted that St. Charles Hospital has been designated as a GreenLight Center of Excellence as we strive to provide the best possible treatment of urological conditions for our patients,” said St. Charles President James O’Connor. “The GreenLight Laser therapy can serve as a long-term solution without the need for BPH medication.”

The GreenLight technology uses laser energy to vaporize the enlarged tissue, creating an open channel for urine to pass through the urethra. The treatment, which doesn’t require incisions, can help provide immediate relief from enlarged prostate symptoms such as frequent urination especially at night, weak urine flow, urgency and incomplete bladder emptying. In addition, GreenLight typically has no overall deleterious impact on sexual function.

“For years, the primary options for treating BPH were through behavior modifications, medications or invasive surgery,” said Dr. Press. “However, medications may not work for everyone and may have undesirable side effects such as dizziness, sexual dysfunction and lower sex drive. With GreenLight Therapy, we’re able to provide relief of BPH for men who do not want to take medication or wish to avoid invasive surgery and implants.”

For more information about GreenLight Laser Therapy at St. Charles Hospital, call 631-675-2810.