LASER VISION CORRECTION
PATIENT GUIDE
SAFE AND PROVEN PROCEDURE OPTIONS.
No need to put your life on hold for a lengthy recovery.
PORTER OPHTHALMOLOGY www.eyeporter.com
THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR. Work, play, live without the constraints of glasses or contacts. Porter Ophthalmology offers LASIK, SMILE, and PRK procedures. Since performing the first LASIK procedure in North Carolina in the 1990’s, we have performed over 9,000 laser vision correction procedures in our state-of-the-art surgery facility.
Now we are among the first practices in the U.S. to offer the latest in laser vision correction, SMILE, which is a minimally invasive, gentle laser eye surgery.
Call 919.876.4064 or click here toda schedule your free consultation wit Isaac Porter, MD at Porter Ophthalm to see how one day can change you for the better.
PORTER OPHTHALMOLOGY www.eyeporter.com
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LASER VISION CORRECTION OPTIONS AT PORTER OPTHALMOLOGY Laser vision correction is a procedure that improves vision by using a laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea. Our patients have a full suite of proven laser vision correction options including LASIK, SMILE, and PRK. We use the most advanced technology in refractive surgery. Options are discussed with our team and a recommendation is made based upon your individual needs. Bladeless LASIK and PRK procedures are performed with the VISX Star S4 IR excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely reshape the cornea. SMILE laser eye surgery with the Zeiss VisuMax laser is the latest in refractive technology. This ground-breaking laser system employs highperformance femtosecond laser technology and is characterized by its outstanding precision, unsurpassed speed, and gentle treatment technique. The laser outlines a personalized 3D-shaped layer in the cornea that is removed to change the shape of the cornea. Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from laser vision correction. In nearsightedness, the goal is to flatten the cornea; with farsightedness, a steeper cornea is desired. Also, the lasers can correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.
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DURING SURGERY Laser vision correction is an ambulatory procedure; you walk into the surgery center, have the procedure and walk out again. Your eyes are anesthetized with special drops. Dr. Porter will have you lie down and will make sure your eye is positioned directly under the laser. One eye is operated on at a time. Dr. Porter uses a computer and precise measurements of your eye to adjust the laser for your particular prescription. First, the cornea is treated with the gentle VisuMax laser. The next step varies between LASIK and SMILE. With LASIK, you will be asked to look at a target light from the Visx Star S4 IR laser for a short time while the laser sends pulses of light to your cornea that painlessly remove tissue. The laser tracks your eye while the procedure is performed, and laser treatment time is usually less than 30 seconds. With SMILE, the tissue is removed through a tiny opening. The entire procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes per eye.
AFTER SURGERY As with any kind of eye surgery, it’s important that you follow your doctor’s instructions. Immediately following surgery you can go home. Someone must drive you home the day of surgery. You may have a scratchy sensation. Dr. Porter will examine your eyes the day after surgery to make sure they are healing properly. You will use antibiotic and steroid drops for about a week. Then you will taper the steroid drops over a few weeks.
Learn
Most people achieve 20/20 or better vision with laser vision correction. Even if you see 20/20 or better on an eye chart after laser eye surgery, you will still need reading glasses by age 45. This is because the eye’s lens becomes less about LASIK, SMILE, and PRK from Dr. Porter flexible with age (a condition called presbyopia), reducing your near vision. Your distance vision will remain crisp, but seeing up close will be more difficult. Fortunately, when this occurs, we have other surgical options to correct presbyopia as well.
LASIK OR SMILE. WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU?
LASIK the most common refractive surgery procedure. Our office has performed thousands of LASIK procedures over the years for countless satisfied patients. SMILE represents the latest in laser vision correction and Porter Ophthalmology is proud to be the first in the Triangle to offer this new option. Both SMILE and LASIK are grouped under the umbrella “laser vision correction” and both provide similarly positive visual outcomes.
LASIK LASIK has a slightly quicker recovery of vision and can treat the widest range of vision problems. LASIK originated in the mid1990s and its success has helped laser vision correction become very popular.
SMILE SMILE is a very gentle form of laser vision correction and has the lowest risk of dry eyes after surgery. There is less discomfort after surgery with SMILE and patients can resume normal activities quicker. It has been performed since 2010 in over 60 countries. Both procedures can provide excellent vision and most patients return to work the next day. Dr. Porter will recommend the best procedure to meet your visual needs at the free consultation.
PORTER OPHTHALMOLOGY www.eyeporter.com
LASIK AND SMILE
THE LATEST ADVANCES IN LASER EYE SURGERY. LASIK AT A GLANCE
Step 1: Flap creation
Rapid femtosecond laser pulses are used to create a flap under the surface of the eye.
Step 3: Corneal reshaping
The excimer laser removes corneal tissue within seconds. This reshaping corrects the vision problem.
Step 2: Flap is folded back
The prepared flap is folded back like the page of a book, exposing the inner corneal tissue to be treated.
Step 4: Flap is repositioned
Finally, the flap is returned to its original position, protecting the eye much like a natural bandage.
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SMILE AT A GLANCE
Step 1: Lens creation
A thin 3D-shaped lens layer and a small opening are created just beneath the surface of the eye.
Step 2: Lens removal
The contact lens shaped layer is removed through the small opening.
Step 3: Vision correction
By removing the thin layer, Dr. Porter changes the shape of the cornea, correcting the vision problem.
BENEFITS OF SURGERY During clinical trials, participants achieved the following outcomes:
• Clinical study results have shown high satisfaction with night vision one year after laser vision correction compared to night vision before with glasses or contact lenses.
• 95% of all SMILE laser vision correction patients could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses six months after surgery.
• 92% of all LASIK patients could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contact lenses one year after treatment.
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PORTER OPHTHALMOLOGY www.eyeporter.com
SCHEDULING YOUR LASIK, SMILE, OR PRK PROCEDURE WITH PORTER OPHTHALMOLOGY FREE CONSULTATION You are invited for a FREE consultation to determine if you qualify for laser vision correction. Please bring your glasses with you to this visit so that we can check your prescription. If the prescription in your glasses is not current but you have an updated prescription, please bring that with you. At this visit you will meet Dr. Porter and our staff, you will learn if you are a candidate for laser vision correction, and we can answer any questions that you may have.
LASIK, SMILE, OR PRK You will be at our office for over an hour the day of surgery. You will complete all the necessary paperwork and then be offered a mild sedative. Once everything is prepared, we will proceed with your operation. Please do not wear any perfume, cologne, hairspray, aftershave, or makeup. You must have someone available to drive you home after the procedure.
PRE- OP EXAM This visit will take over two hours. We will perform multiple tests to check your prescription, the surface curvature of your eyes, and dilate both eyes. This will help us make the final plan for surgery and determine the health of your eyes. Upon checkout, we will confirm your date for surgery. On the day of the preop examination, please be prepared to finalize any financial matters.
POST- OP CARE We will see you the day following your operation. After that visit, there will be appointments with us or your primary eye doctor throughout the following year. Please feel free to call or return to see us anytime if you have questions or concerns. All of your follow-up visits for the first year are included at no charge.
Click here to contact us now to set up an appointment
“It’s been a year since you performed my LASIK surgery. During the year with my newly corrected vision, I have enjoyed skydiving without the fear of my contact lenses coming out of my eyes during free-fall and swimming with the ability to see clearly underwater. Thanks to you and your wonderful staff for correcting my vision! You’re the best!” “Dr. Porter and his staff made the decision to get LASIK very easy. They explained exactly what would be done and they answered every question I had. The procedure was very easy and there were no surprises. I also felt like everyone at Porter Ophthalmology really cared about how I was doing after the procedure. They all wanted to make sure my vision was great and that I did not have any issues. The cost of the procedure was very reasonable and they also had a program that provided financing which I was able to get at 0% interest. I am very happy I am not wearing contacts or glasses and my vision has been great since I got this done. I had thought about doing it for several years and I am very thankful to have it done and I wish I had done it sooner. I highly recommend getting LASIK with Dr. Porter and his staff.”
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Thank you for helping me see the world through my own eyes! Hear From More of Our Patients. CLICK HERE
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“After going through life since the 6th grade wearing glasses and later contact lenses, it is extremely exciting to see the world through my own eyes without optical aid. Having gone from 20/400 vision to 20/20 is totally remarkable. The surgery was quick, painless, and handled with an elite level of professionalism. You and your entire staff provide a cozy comfort level that helps diminish the anxiety one might have. The entire office has a relaxed atmosphere. Thank you for helping me see the world through my own eyes!”
“I wanted to express how pleased I am with the results of my refractive surgery, and what a difference having PRK has made in my life. The procedure was quick, and I could have never imagined how immediate the results would be. I still can’t believe I’m seeing 20/20. I’ll never forget sitting down to lunch the day I had PRK, looking up and being able to read the menu behind the counter from a substantial distance for the first time. Thank you for doing such a beautiful job. The “visual freedom” is definitely worth the investment!”
CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION (919) 876 - 4064
PORTER OPHTHALMOLOGY www.eyeporter.com 1422 East Millbrook Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 (919) 876-4064 (800) 352-8397 facebook.com/eyeporter @ eyeporter