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Porter Ophthalmology – LASIK

HEAR DR. PORTER TALK ABOUT LASIK

LASIK FAQ

Am I a candidate for LASIK?

Generally, patients who are 18 years old or older with a stable prescription, healthy eyes, normal corneas, and adequate corneal thickness may qualify. LASIK is excellent at correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

Our doctors will determine if you qualify for LASIK during our free vision correction evaluation. As technology continues to advance, more patients qualify for LASIK now than ever before. This includes many people who may have been told that they are not candidates in the past. If you don’t qualify for LASIK, there is a good chance you may qualify for a different vision correction procedure at Porter Ophthalmology including LALEX (SMILE), PRK, EVO, or LR.

Is LASIK the right procedure for me?

During our free vision correction evaluation, we will examine your eye and take advanced measurements to get a full picture of the health of your eyes. Our doctors use this information to recommend the best procedure for your eyes and your vision goals.

The good news: Porter Ophthalmology offers its patients all five of the latest vision correction procedures – LASIK, SMILE, PRK, ICL and LR. This means more patients qualify than ever before and our doctors can recommend the absolute best procedure for you.

How fast is the recovery from LASIK?

Following LASIK your vision will be blurred for the first few hours and you may experience some mild scratchiness or dryness of your eyes. Any eye discomfort typically resolves within the first few hours and the vision is significantly improved by the next day. Most people are able to return to work either the next day or the day after following LASIK.

Is LASIK safe? Are there any risks or side effects of LASIK?

LASIK is a safe and effective procedure for laser vision correction. A recent 15 year long-term study was published emphasizing the safety of LASIK. Now with advances in technology and our knowledge about LASIK, we expect that modern laser eye surgery is even more safe than it was 15 years ago when the study patients were treated.

It has also been shown that LASIK is generally safer than wearing contact lenses over the long term, in addition to being less expensive. Some of the more common side effects after LASIK include dry eyes or seeing glare and halos at night. Fortunately, these side effects are usually temporary and improve weeks to months after treatment. Serious complications of LASIK are extremely rare.

Is the LASIK procedure painful?

During the procedure we use numbing drops on the eye that prevent the sensation of anything sharp or painful. At times there may be pressure on the eye or the sensation of touch or drops on the eye but these are minimal.

Do I have to hold my eyes open during the procedure?

At the beginning of the LASIK procedure we will help you to relax and open your eyelids. From that point on a small eyelid holder will gently hold your eye open for the duration of the laser treatment so that you don’t have to worry about blinking.

What happens if I move my eye during the procedure?

The excimer laser we use in our office includes an advanced eye tracking system that checks the position of your eye before every pulse of the laser (this occurs many times per second!). If your eye moves or it is not in the ideal location, the built-in safety measures will automatically pause the laser. Once your eye is realigned, the laser treatment will resume. Additionally, there is a target light in the laser for you to look at during LASIK that will help you keep your eye in the correct position.

Is LASIK a permanent treatment?

A common misconception of LASIK is that the effect wears off with time. In reality, we expect the vision correcting effect of LASIK to last forever.

However, we know that natural changes will begin to affect the focusing ability of the lens inside your eye starting in your mid-40s. This leads to presbyopia or the need for reading glasses to see things up close. This is a normal and expected change with time that is unrelated to having LASIK. The good news is that if you don’t like using reading glasses, Porter Ophthalmology has additional solutions to make you less dependent on them.

Is LASIK covered by insurance?

Usually no, although we have seen some very rare instances where insurance plans pay for part of the cost of LASIK. At Porter Ophthalmology, we offer flexible spending plans or interest-free financing options that can be a great way to make LASIK more affordable.

RESOURCES

LALEX (SMILE) RALEIGH

WHAT IS LALEX (SMILE)?

Porter Ophthalmology has been offering LALEX (SMILE) longer than any other practice in North Carolina, and we now see hundreds of new patients each year. This has become a very popular laser solution for many of our patients, as LALEX (SMILE) is the latest in laser vision correction for myopia (nearsightedness), providing results similar to LASIK in a slightly different (less invasive) manner. For this procedure, a laser is used to create a thin contact lens-shaped layer just beneath the surface of the eye, followed by a small opening through which that layer is removed, thus correcting your vision.

It’s safe, proven, and effective. More than 4 million LALEX (SMILE) procedures have been performed worldwide by thousands of surgeons.

LALEX (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

LALEX (SMILE) TECHNOLOGY

LALEX (SMILE) laser eye surgery with the Zeiss VisuMax laser is the latest in refractive technology. This ground-breaking laser system employs high-performance 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.

WHY CHOOSE LALEX (SMILE) FOR LASER VISION CORRECTION?

LESS INVASIVE PROCEDURE

Only one small opening is made to correct your vision with our laser.

FAST AND RELIABLE

LALEX (SMILE) takes only a few minutes and provides wonderful results similar to LASIK.

QUICK RECOVERY TIMES

LALEX (SMILE) offers fast vision recovery times, allowing you to return to your daily activities in as little as one day.

GENTLE ON THE EYES

With LALEX (SMILE), you may experience less dry eye and less discomfort during and after the procedure.

LASTLY: NO MORE GLASSES

Reduce or eliminate your need for glasses and contacts.

HEAR DR. PORTER TALK ABOUT LALEX (SMILE)

LALEX (SMILE) FAQ

Am I a candidate for LALEX (SMILE)?

Generally, patients who are aged 20-40 years old with a stable prescription, healthy eyes, normal corneas, and adequate corneal thickness may qualify. LALEX (SMILE) is excellent at correcting myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism.

Our doctors will determine if you qualify for LALEX (SMILE) during our free vision correction evaluation. As technology continues to advance, more patients qualify for vision correction surgery now than ever before. This includes many people who may have been told that they are not candidates in the past. If you don’t qualify for LALEX (SMILE), there is a good chance you may qualify for a different vision correction procedure at Porter Ophthalmology including PRK, EVO or LR.

Is LALEX (SMILE) the right procedure for me?

During our free vision correction evaluation, we will examine your eye and take advanced measurements to get a full picture of the health of your eyes. Our doctors use this information to recommend the best procedure for your eyes and your vision goals.

The good news: Porter Ophthalmology offers its patients all five of the latest vision correction procedures – LASIK, LALEX (SMILE), PRK, EVO and LR. This means more patients qualify than ever before and our doctors can recommend the absolute best procedure for you.

How fast is the recovery from LALEX (SMILE)?

Following LALEX (SMILE) your vision will be blurred for the first few hours and you may experience some mild scratchiness or dryness of your eyes. Any eye discomfort typically resolves within the first few hours and the vision is significantly improved by the next day. Most people are able to return to work either the next day or the day after following LALEX (SMILE).

Is LALEX (SMILE) safe? Are there any risks or side effects of LALEX (SMILE)?

LALEX (SMILE) is a safe and effective procedure for laser vision correction. LALEX (SMILE) has been FDA approved since 2016 and had been performed internationally for many years prior to that. Worldwide over 4 million patients have undergone the LALEX (SMILE) procedure and are enjoying the benefits of living life free of glasses or contacts.

Some of the more common side effects after LALEX (SMILE) include dry eyes or seeing glare and halos at night. Fortunately, these side effects are usually temporary and improve weeks to months after treatment. Serious complications of LALEX (SMILE) are extremely rare.

Is the LALEX (SMILE) procedure painful?

During the procedure we use numbing drops on the eye that prevent the sensation of anything sharp or painful. At times there may be pressure on the eye or the sensation of touch or drops on the eye but these are minimal.

Do I have to hold my eyes open during the procedure?

At the beginning of the LALEX (SMILE) procedure we will help you to relax and open your eyelids. From that point on a small eyelid holder will gently hold your eye open for the duration of the laser treatment so that you don’t have to worry about blinking.

What happens if I move my eye?

The Visumax femtosecond laser we use for LALEX (SMILE) in our office gently stabilizes the front surface of the eye during the procedure to assist you in keeping your eye steady. If your eye is not in the ideal location or if it moves, the laser treatment will pause until the eye is re-positioned. There is also a target light in the laser for you to look at during LALEX (SMILE) that will help you keep your eye in the correct position.

Is LALEX (SMILE) a permanent treatment?

A common misconception of LASIK and LALEX (SMILE) is that the effect wears off with time. In reality, we expect the vision correcting effect to last forever.

However, we know that natural changes will begin to affect the focusing ability of the lens inside your eye starting in your mid-40s. This leads to presbyopia or the need for reading glasses to see things up close. This is a normal and expected change with time that is unrelated to having LASIK or LALEX (SMILE). The good news is that if you don’t like using reading glasses, Porter Ophthalmology has additional solutions to make you less dependent on them.

Is LALEX (SMILE) covered by insurance?

Usually no, although we have seen some very rare instances where insurance plans pay for part of the cost of vision correction surgery. At Porter Ophthalmology, we offer flexible spending plans or interest-free financing options that can be a great way to make LALEX (SMILE) more affordable.

Porter Ophthalmology Files

PRK 

RALEIGH

WHAT IS PRK?

PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy) is another type of laser vision correction. PRK may help some patients who do not qualify for LASIK. Two common reasons why LASIK may not be the best option for some patients are: 1) when the cornea is too thin, or 2) when the cornea has an abnormal shape.

During PRK, a high-precision excimer laser is used to treat the surface of the eye.

PRK AT A GLANCE

STEP 1:

NUMBING THE EYE

To reduce pain during the surgery, anesthesia drops are used to numb the eye. An eyelid holder is used to prevent the eye from blinking during surgery.

STEP 2:

REMOVING THE EPITHELIUM

The epithelium is removed with a special instrument. In PRK, this layer will be completely removed. In LASIK, this layer is moved to the side and replaced after surgery.

STEP 3:

RESHAPING THE CORNEA

An excimer laser will sculpt the corneal tissue based on the eye structure. The new shape of the cornea will correct how light travels through the cornea to enable sharp vision.

STEP 4:

BANDAGE CONTACT LENS

A few drops of a soothing and rinsing fluid are put on top of the cornea after the laser intervention. After the surgery, the doctor will insert a bandage contact lens to support healing and comfort.

HEAR DR. PORTER TALK ABOUT PRK

PRK FAQ

Am I a candidate for PRK?

Generally, patients who are 18 years old or older with a stable prescription, healthy eyes, and adequate corneal thickness may qualify. PRK is excellent at correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. In particular, PRK is an excellent option for patients who may not qualify for LASIK due to the shape of their cornea.

Our doctors will determine if you qualify for PRK during our free vision correction evaluation. As technology continues to advance, more patients qualify for vision correction surgery now than ever before. This includes many people who may have been told that they are not candidates in the past. If you don’t qualify for PRK, there is a good chance you may qualify for a different vision correction procedure at Porter Ophthalmology including ICL or LR.

Is PRK the right procedure for me?

During our free vision correction evaluation, we will examine your eye and take advanced measurements to get a full picture of the health of your eyes. Our doctors use this information to recommend the best procedure for your eyes and your vision goals.

The good news: Porter Ophthalmology offers its patients all five of the latest vision correction procedures – LASIK, SMILE, PRK, ICL and LR. This means more patients qualify than ever before and our doctors can recommend the absolute best procedure for you.

How fast is the recovery from PRK?

While PRK uses the same excimer laser as LASIK, the recovery is slower than the LASIK procedure. Since PRK treats the surface of your eye it is expected that you will have moderate eye discomfort and feel like your eye has been scratched after the procedure. We will place a bandage contact lens over the eyes for comfort in addition to providing eye drops and oral medication to minimize any discomfort. This discomfort improves over the first few days following PRK and is typically resolved within the first week.

Vision is also slower to recover following PRK. After about 5-7 days most patients’ vision has improved enough to allow them to drive and complete their everyday activities. However, it can take 4-6 weeks for the vision to fully sharpen up. We typically recommend that patient’s plan to be out of work for 5-7 days following PRK and advise them that they will have to really just take it easy for the first couple days. Despite the longer recovery time, PRK has the same excellent long term visual outcomes as LASIK making it a great option for patients that don’t qualify for LASIK.

Is PRK safe? Are there any risks or side effects of PRK?

PRK is a safe and effective procedure for laser vision correction. Studies have shown that PRK has a similar safety profile and long term outcomes to LASIK.

It has also been shown that LASIK/PRK are generally safer than wearing contact lenses over the long term, in addition to being less expensive. Some of the more common side effects after PRK include dry eyes or seeing glare and halos at night. Fortunately, these side effects are usually temporary and improve weeks to months after treatment. Serious complications of PRK are extremely rare.

Is the PRK procedure painful?

During the procedure we use numbing drops on the eye that prevent the sensation of anything sharp or painful. At times there may be pressure on the eye or the sensation of touch or drops on the eye but these are minimal.

Do I have to hold my eyes open during the procedure? What happens if I move my eye?

At the beginning of the PRK procedure we will help you to relax and open your eyelids. From that point on a small eyelid holder will gently hold your eye open for the duration of the laser treatment so that you don’t have to worry about blinking.

What happens if I move my eye?

The excimer laser we use in our office includes an advanced eye tracking system that checks the position of your eye before every pulse of the laser (this occurs many times per second!). If your eye is not in the ideal location or if it moves, the built-in safety measures will pause the laser. Once your eye is realigned, the laser treatment will resume. There is also a target light in the laser for you to look at during PRK that will help you keep your eye in the correct position.

Is PRK a permanent treatment?

A common misconception of LASIK/PRK is that the effect wears off with time. In reality, we expect the vision correcting effect to last forever.

However, we know that natural changes will begin to affect the focusing ability of the lens inside your eye starting in your mid-40s. This leads to presbyopia or the need for reading glasses to see things up close. This is a normal and expected change with time that is unrelated to having LASIK/PRK. The good news is that if you don’t like using reading glasses, Porter Ophthalmology has additional solutions to make you less dependent on them.

Is PRK covered by insurance?

Usually no, although we have seen some very rare instances where insurance plans pay for part of the cost of vision correction surgery. At Porter Ophthalmology, we offer flexible spending plans or interest-free financing options that can be a great way to make PRK more affordable.

EVO ICL

RALEIGH

WHAT IS EVO ICL?

The EVO ICL, short for Implantable Collamer® Lens, is a lens implant procedure that can correct myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism. The EVO Visian ICL is meant to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts and can be a great option for those who are too nearsighted for LASIK/SMILE or who may not have qualified due to the shape or thickness of their cornea. Unlike other vision correction options, the EVO ICL is an additive procedure that corrects vision without permanently altering or changing the shape of the eye. This means that the EVO ICL lens, while designed to stay in the eye and correct the vision indefinitely, could be removed in the future if necessary, effectively reversing the procedure.

EVO ICL AT A GLANCE

STEP 1:

NUMBING THE EYE

To prevent pain during the procedure, anesthesia drops are used to numb the eye. An eyelid holder is used to prevent the eye from blinking during the procedure.

STEP 2:

INSERTING THE LENS

A small incision is made on the front of the eye to allow for insertion of the ICL lens. The lens is folded for insertion to allow for the smallest possible incision.

STEP 3:

POSITIONING THE LENS

The ICL lens is positioned behind the iris and in front of the natural lens where it will work in harmony with your eye to correct your vision. The lens is not visible once the dilating eye drops wear off and you will not be able to feel it in your eye.

ICL FAQ

Am I a candidate for EVO ICL?

Generally, patients who are 18 years old or older with a stable prescription and healthy eyes may qualify. EVO ICL is excellent at correcting myopia (nearsightedness) with or without astigmatism. In particular, ICL is an excellent option for patients with extreme myopia (nearsightedness) who may not qualify for LASIK.

Our doctors will determine if you qualify for EVO ICL during our free vision correction evaluation. As technology continues to advance, more patients qualify for vision correction surgery now than ever before. This includes many people who may have been told that they are not candidates in the past.

Is EVO ICL the right procedure for me?

During our free vision correction evaluation, we will examine your eye and take advanced measurements to get a full picture of the health of your eyes. Our doctors use this information to recommend the best procedure for your eyes and your vision goals.

The good news: Porter Ophthalmology offers its patients all five of the latest vision correction procedures – LASIK, SMILE, PRK, EVO ICL and LR. This means more patients qualify than ever before and our doctors can recommend the absolute best procedure for you.

How fast is the recovery from EVO ICL?

The EVO ICL procedure has a quick recovery that is similar to LASIK. Your vision will be blurred for the first few hours following the procedure and you may experience some mild scratchiness or dryness of your eyes. By the next day, any eye discomfort typically resolves and the vision is significantly improved. Most people are able to return to work either the next day or the day after following the ICL procedure.

Is EVO ICL safe? Are there any risks or side effects with EVO ICL?

The EVO ICL was approved by the FDA in March 2022 as a safe and effective procedure for vision correction. Prior to being approved in the US, the EVO ICL has been used successfully for many years internationally with great results. The EVO ICL is made of collamer, a biocompatible material that works in harmony with your eye.

Some of the more common side effects after ICL include mild eye irritation or light sensitivity. Fortunately, these side effects are usually temporary and improve within days after treatment. Serious complications of ICL are extremely rare.

Is the EVO ICL procedure painful?

The EVO ICL procedure is not painful. During the procedure we use numbing drops on the eye that prevent the sensation of anything sharp or painful. At times there may be pressure on the eye or the sensation of touch or drops on the eye but these are minimal.

Do I have to hold my eyes open during the EVO ICL procedure? What happens if I move my eye?

At the beginning of the EVO ICL procedure we will help you to relax and open your eyelids. From that point on a small eyelid holder will gently hold your eye open for the duration of the procedure so that you don’t have to worry about blinking.

Is EVO ICL a permanent treatment?

Yes, EVO ICL is a permanent treatement. A common misconception of vision correction surgery is that the effect wears off with time. In reality, we expect the vision correcting effect of ICL to last forever. The ICL is an additive procedure that does not permanently alter or change the shape of the eye. This means that the ICL lens, while designed to be left in the eye forever, could be removed in the future if necessary, effectively reversing the procedure.

Additionally, we know that age-related changes will begin to affect the focusing ability of the natural lens inside your eye starting in your mid-40s. This leads to presbyopia or the need for reading glasses to see things up close. This is a normal and expected change with time that is unrelated to having the ICL procedure. The good news is that if you don’t like using reading glasses, Porter Ophthalmology has additional solutions to make you less dependent on them.

Is EVO ICL covered by insurance?

Usually no, although we have seen some very rare instances where insurance plans pay for part of the cost of vision correction surgery. At Porter Ophthalmology, we offer flexible spending plans or interest-free financing options that can be a great way to make EVO ICL more affordable.

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LENS REPLACEMENT (LR)

RALEIGH

WHAT IS LENS REPLACEMENT (LR)?

  Lens Replacement (LR), sometimes called custom lens replacement (CLR) or refractive lens exchange (RLE), is an advanced surgical procedure that can restore your vision over the long term—often allowing patients to see clearly without glasses or contact lenses. At Porter Ophthalmology, our experienced surgical team has an unparalleled history of helping adults (typically age 45 or older) with vision disorders through corrective CLR surgery.

LR LENSES COME IN THREE TYPES:

• Monofocal

• TORIC

• Extended Range

We will conduct a thorough eye exam and determine which IOL is right for you based on your vision needs

WHY LENS REPLACEMENT (LR)

Lens Replacement is a newer option for adults suffering from age-related focus dysfunction, but who are not good candidates for other corrective procedures, such as LASIK, PRK, or EVO surgery. Unlike LASIK, which involves reshaping the cornea, LR replaces the eye’s natural lens with a new intraocular lens (IOL). It is a proven, time-tested procedure that in the vast majority of individuals provides long term vision correction. Best of all, it is a quick, safe procedure, nearly identical to cataract surgery, and has a fast recovery period.

THE BENEFITS OF A LENS REPLACEMENT (LR) PROCEDURE

• Long term vision correction

• Reduces the need for corrective eyewear

• Quick procedure—less than 30 minutes per eye

• Designed for age-related focus dysfunction (presbyopia), nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism

• Relatively pain-free procedure

• No need for future cataract surgery

• Stability over time

• Relatively quick recovery—between 1-3 days typically

• It is a safe procedure (similar to cataract surgery)

LR FAQ

Am I a candidate for lens replacement (LR)?

Generally, patients who are 18 years old or older with a stable prescription and healthy eyes may qualify. LR is excellent at correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. It is an especially great option for patients in their 40s/50s/60s who are experiencing presbyopia or the need for reading glasses.

Our doctors will determine if you qualify for LR during our free vision correction evaluation. As technology continues to advance, more patients qualify for vision correction surgery now than ever before. This includes many people who may have been told that they are not candidates in the past.

Is LR the right procedure for me?

During our free vision correction evaluation, we will examine your eye and take advanced measurements to get a full picture of the health of your eyes. Our doctors use this information to recommend the best procedure for your eyes and your vision goals.

The good news: Porter Ophthalmology offers its patients all five of the latest vision correction procedures – LASIK, LALEX, PRK, EVO and LR. This means more patients qualify than ever before and our doctors can recommend the absolute best procedure for you.

How fast is the recovery from LR?

The LR procedure has a quick recovery that is similar to LASIK. Your vision may be slightly blurred for the first few days following the procedure and you may experience some mild scratchiness or irritation of your eyes. Within a few days, any eye discomfort typically resolves and the vision is significantly improved. Most people are able to return to work either the next day or the day after following the LR procedure.

Is LR safe? Are there any risks or side effects of LR?

LR is a safe and effective option for vision correction. The procedure is very similar to cataract surgery which is one of the most common and successful procedures performed annually in the United States. At Porter Ophthalmology we use the LenSx® femtosecond laser during LR to provide our patients with the most precise and accurate results.

Some of the more common side effects after LR include mild eye irritation or light sensitivity. Fortunately, these side effects are usually temporary and improve within days after treatment. Serious complications of LR are extremely rare.

Is the LR procedure painful?

During the procedure we use numbing drops on the eye that prevent the sensation of anything sharp or painful. At times there may be pressure on the eye or the sensation of touch or drops on the eye but these are minimal.

Do I have to hold my eyes open during the procedure?

At the beginning of the LR procedure we will help you to relax and open your eyelids. From that point on a small eyelid holder will gently hold your eye open for the duration of the procedure so that you don’t have to worry about blinking.

Is LR a permanent treatment?

A common misconception of vision correction surgery is that the effect wears off with time. In reality, we expect the vision correcting effect of LR to last forever.

Is LR covered by insurance?

Usually no, although we have seen some very rare instances where insurance plans pay for part of the cost of vision correction surgery. At Porter Ophthalmology, we offer flexible spending plans or interest-free financing options that can be a great way to make LR more affordable.

IS LR the same thing as Custom Lens Replacement or Refractive Lens Exchange?

Yes, LR or lens replacement is the exact same procedure as custom lens replacement (CLR) and refractive lens exchange (RLE). They are simply different names for the procedure that removes your lens and replaces it with an IOL lens to improve over-aged-40 vision (presbyopia). 

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