Procedure Description:
Cataract Surgery, No-Stitch No-Shot No-Patch

What To Expect:
Cataracts are an almost inevitable feature of aging. Although they generally do not affect vision until after age 60, they can occur earlier. A cataract is a cloudy area in the eye's natural lens that interferes with light reaching the retina. The cataract will cause symptoms such as cloudy or blurry vision, sensitivity to light and glare, especially in bright sunlight or while driving at night.

Preprocedure:
The only medical treatment available for cataracts is the surgical removal of the clouded lens. Cataracts are removed on an outpatient basis, and there is generally no discomfort and a speedy recovery of vision. Procedures today are performed using phacoemulsification through a small self sealing incision so sutures are not needed. The eye is completely numbed using eye drops, eliminating the need for a painful needle injection. To compensate for the removal of the lens of the eye, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the eye. The newest development is the availabilityof a bifocal IOL that restores clear distance and near vision, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses after cataract surgery.

Postprocedure:
With no-stitch surgery, many patients can see clearly soon after the surgery. With eye drop anesthesia, the eye is not patched and it is possible to resume most daily activities within a day or two.

Laser Vision Correction

Procedure Description:
Laser Vision Correction Intralase Method

What To Expect:
With LASIK Laser Vision Correction, we are now able to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses for people who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. The advanced technology of the excimer laser permits the precise reshaping of the cornea to correct the vision. Candidates should be 18 years of age or older,and have healthy corneas. The prescription should be stable over the past 12 months, and people with certain medical conditions, or women who are pregnant may not be suitable.

If you have thought about having LASIK, now is the time to take the very important step of choosing your surgeon. To help you make your decision, we invite you to call for a free evaluation and to meet Dr. Jon Portis. Comprehensive testing, including Orbscan topography will be performed to see if you are a good candidate. Unlike other laser centers, Dr. Portis offers complete personalized care from start to finish, and will attend to your needs on every visit to the office.

Preprocedure:
After your eye has been completely numbed with eye drops, an eye lid holder will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking. Next, the Intralase laser creates a flap on the surface of the cornea. This avoids the traditional blade approach. The Intralse offers you greater accuracy and safety than the traditional microkeratome. You may feel some pressure or tightness, but no discomfort. After resting a few minutes,you will be positioned under the laser for the actual vision correction. You will then be asked to look directly at a target light while the laser reshapes for cornea. This usually takes less than a minute and is painless. The flap is then repositioned, where it bonds into place without the need for sutures.

Postprocedure:
After LASIK, the vision usually returns rapidly, and the eye is about 80% healed during the first week. To prevent infection, antibiotic drops are used for one week, and a protective shield applied at night while sleeping. The eye is not patched, and most individuals can return to work and normal activities quickly. Post-operative visits occur at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.

Trabeculectomy

Procedure Description:
Create an opening in the eye to allow aqeous to flow out

What To Expect:
Local anesthesia with general anesthesia standby by an anesthesiologist. Procedure duration about one hour. No discomfort during procedure.

Preprocedure:
Nothing by mouth the night before surgery. Eye will be patched 24 hours. Will need transportation to and from the outpatient surgery center.

Postprocedure:
Will be seen on the day after surgery. Limited activities for about 2 weeks. Daily eye drops.