Portland residents seeking laser vision correction deserve more than standard credentials—they deserve a surgeon recognized among the global elite. Dr. Steven Tersigni is Portland’s only World College of Refractive Surgeons Fellowship holder, placing him among fewer than 1,000 surgeons worldwide to achieve this extraordinary distinction. This isn’t just another fellowship; it’s recognition reserved for the top 0.3% of vision correction surgeons globally, requiring proven excellence across 500+ procedures and peer validation from international leaders who set worldwide standards for refractive surgery.
What makes Dr. Tersigni’s approach uniquely valuable for Portland patients? He combines world-class credentials with firsthand patient empathy—as the first physician in America to receive the EVO Toric ICL procedure, he understands your concerns from personal experience. His participation in 10 FDA trials means you access tomorrow’s technology today, while his advanced training under renowned pioneer Dr. Y. Ralph Chu ensures surgical precision that exceeds international benchmarks.
Quick Answer: Dr. Steven Tersigni offers Portland’s most advanced laser vision correction through World College of Refractive Surgeons fellowship-trained expertise, cutting-edge ZEISS VisuMax and WaveLight EX500 technology, and personal understanding as a vision correction patient himself.
Why WCRS Fellowship Matters More Than Standard Credentials
When researching LASIK surgeons in Portland, you’ll find many claim “fellowship training” or “board certification”—but these credentials exist on dramatically different levels. While the American Board of Ophthalmology has never recognized any subspecialty in its 110-year history, the World College of Refractive Surgery emerged to establish global excellence standards that transcend regional qualifications.
Dr. Tersigni’s WCRS fellowship required extraordinary achievement: at least 500 refractive procedures as primary surgeon, multiple peer-reviewed publications, presentations at major international meetings, and board recognition for outstanding contributions to vision correction science. This isn’t simply about meeting minimum standards—it’s about demonstrating results that exceed internationally benchmarked safety and efficacy requirements.
What this means for your vision: WCRS fellowship surgeons must prove their techniques and outcomes satisfy experts who literally write the global protocols for laser vision correction. When choosing between a surgeon who meets local standards versus someone recognized among the worldwide elite, your decision directly impacts your visual results and long-term satisfaction.
The selection process for WCRS fellowship involves rigorous peer review from established leaders across continents, evaluating not just surgical volume but innovation contributions, teaching excellence, and patient outcome data. Dr. Tersigni earned this recognition through demonstrated mastery of multiple refractive techniques, research advancing the field, and consistent results that place him among the global leaders setting tomorrow’s standards for vision correction.
The Patient Perspective: A Surgeon Who Chose Vision Correction
Most LASIK surgeons have never experienced the procedure themselves—but Dr. Tersigni made the personal choice to undergo vision correction as the first American physician to receive the EVO Toric ICL. This decision wasn’t made lightly; as a refractive surgeon, he had intimate knowledge of all available options and specifically chose a procedure he’d be offering to Portland patients.
His personal experience eliminates the disconnect many patients feel when consulting surgeons who can only imagine their concerns. Dr. Tersigni knows exactly how it feels to depend on glasses and contacts, to research procedure options extensively, and to trust another surgeon with his vision. He was fully awake during his ICL procedure—to completely understand the patient experience he’d be guiding others through.
This firsthand perspective shapes every aspect of your care: From initial consultation through post-operative recovery, Dr. Tersigni anticipates your concerns because he’s experienced them personally. He understands which aspects of the procedure feel most anxiety-provoking and addresses them proactively, creating the supportive experience he wished for during his own vision correction journey.
His choice of the EVO ICL over LASIK for his own eyes wasn’t a reflection on LASIK’s effectiveness—both procedures deliver excellent results for appropriate candidates. Instead, it demonstrated his commitment to matching each patient with their ideal procedure based on unique eye characteristics, lifestyle needs, and personal preferences rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all approach.
Advanced Technology That Defines Comfortable Precision
Portland LASIK patients deserve more than marketing claims about “latest technology”—they deserve systems that deliver measurably superior comfort and precision. Tersigni Vision exclusively uses the ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser and WaveLight EX500 excimer laser, a combination that provides genuine technological advantages unavailable at most Portland practices.
The VisuMax creates what patients describe as “Air LASIK”—its ultra-gentle 50mmHg pressure feels like air touching your eye, compared to competitors’ 150-180mmHg systems that cause discomfort and temporary vision obstruction. This low-pressure approach maintains visual fixation throughout the procedure, eliminating the anxiety of temporary blindness that older laser systems create. Most patients are surprised when we tell them the flap creation is complete because they felt virtually nothing.
Speed enhances safety and comfort: The WaveLight EX500 operates at 500Hz with 1.4-second per diopter treatment times, reducing total laser exposure while its 1000+ times per second eye tracking follows your natural micro-movements more precisely than conscious control. This translates to less time for your eye to dry during treatment, improving both comfort and visual outcomes.
The VisuMax provides additional advantages through its unique capability to perform both LASIK and SMILE procedures. While most Portland practices offer only traditional LASIK, Dr. Tersigni matches the ideal technique to your eyes—whether that’s conventional LASIK, SMILE’s minimally invasive approach, or alternative procedures like PRK or EVO ICL for patients outside LASIK’s optimal range.
Technology Comparison: What Makes the Difference
| Feature | Tersigni Vision (VisuMax/EX500) | Typical Portland Practice |
| Flap Pressure | 50mmHg (feels like air) | 150-180mmHg (noticeable pressure) |
| Visual Fixation | Maintained throughout | Temporary vision loss during flap |
| Treatment Speed | 1.4 sec/diopter | 3-8 sec/diopter |
| Eye Tracking | 1000+ Hz precision | 60-200 Hz basic tracking |
| Procedure Options | LASIK, SMILE, PRK, ICL | Usually LASIK only |
FDA Trial Experience: Access to Tomorrow’s Vision Correction
Dr. Tersigni’s participation in 10 FDA clinical trials represents more than research credentials—it provides Portland patients early access to breakthrough technologies and techniques that may not reach other practices for years. FDA trials require the most rigorous patient selection, precise surgical execution, and detailed outcome documentation, standards that elevate care quality for all patients.
His trial involvement includes next-generation laser platforms, advanced intraocular lens designs, and innovative surgical techniques that are shaping the future of vision correction. This experience means you benefit from cutting-edge protocols tested under the most demanding scientific conditions, often before these innovations become available to general practitioners.
Real benefit for your vision: Surgeons participating in FDA trials must maintain outcome data that exceeds industry standards, undergo additional training on advanced techniques, and demonstrate results that satisfy federal safety requirements. This rigorous oversight ensures you receive care that meets the highest possible standards for safety and effectiveness.
The FDA trial experience also provides Dr. Tersigni unique insights into which technologies deliver genuine improvements versus marketing innovations. His firsthand evaluation of multiple laser platforms, lens designs, and surgical techniques allows him to select only systems that provide measurable patient benefits, ensuring Tersigni Vision’s technology investments directly enhance your visual outcomes.
Comprehensive Vision Correction Beyond Standard LASIK
Portland patients often assume LASIK represents their only laser vision correction option, but Dr. Tersigni’s advanced training and technology platform provide the complete spectrum of refractive procedures. Approximately 15-20% of patients aren’t ideal LASIK candidates due to corneal thickness, prescription strength, or eye shape characteristics—but they often have excellent alternatives.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) offers minimally invasive vision correction through a 2-4mm incision versus LASIK’s 20mm flap, potentially reducing dry eye symptoms and maintaining corneal strength for active lifestyles. The VisuMax laser’s unique capability to perform both LASIK and SMILE means Dr. Tersigni can select your optimal procedure during consultation rather than forcing every patient into the same technique.
EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) provides reversible vision correction for patients with extreme prescriptions, thin corneas, or dry eye concerns. As the first American physician to receive this procedure, Dr. Tersigni brings unparalleled personal and professional expertise to ICL surgery, having experienced both sides of the patient-surgeon relationship.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) serves patients with corneal irregularities or those in professions requiring maximum eye protection. Dr. Tersigni’s advanced surface ablation techniques minimize discomfort while delivering visual results comparable to LASIK for appropriate candidates.
This comprehensive approach means Portland patients receive honest evaluation of all available options rather than being channeled toward whichever procedure a practice happens to offer. Dr. Tersigni’s philosophy prioritizes matching the ideal technique to your unique eyes over maximizing procedure volume.
Your LASIK Questions Answered by Portland’s Fellowship-Trained Expert
How do I know if my LASIK surgeon is really qualified?
Quick Answer: Board certification represents minimum competency, while fellowship training indicates specialized expertise. Dr. Tersigni’s World College of Refractive Surgeons Fellowship places him among fewer than 1,000 surgeons worldwide to achieve this elite distinction.
Complete Answer: Portland LASIK patients should evaluate surgeon qualifications across multiple dimensions beyond basic board certification. Fellowship training in refractive surgery demonstrates additional year(s) studying exclusively with recognized experts, while WCRS fellowship requires proven excellence across 500+ procedures and peer recognition from international leaders. Dr. Tersigni’s credentials include fellowship training under renowned pioneer Dr. Y. Ralph Chu, 10 FDA trial participations, and World College of Refractive Surgeons Fellowship—qualifications that establish him among global leaders in vision correction surgery. When researching surgeons, ask specifically about fellowship training, procedure volume, complication rates, and participation in advancing the field through research or clinical trials.
What makes the VisuMax laser different from other LASIK technology?
Quick Answer: The VisuMax creates flaps with 50mmHg pressure versus competitors’ 150-180mmHg, feeling like air on your eye while maintaining vision throughout the procedure.
Complete Answer: Portland LASIK patients benefit from the VisuMax femtosecond laser’s ultra-gentle approach that revolutionizes surgical comfort and precision. Traditional microkeratomes and older femtosecond lasers apply significant pressure that causes temporary vision loss and discomfort, while the VisuMax’s 50mmHg pressure feels virtually imperceptible. This gentle touch maintains visual fixation throughout flap creation, eliminating anxiety about temporary blindness. The laser’s 3-micron precision creates perfectly uniform flaps compared to competitors’ 6-12 micron variance, contributing to predictable healing and optimal visual outcomes. Additionally, the VisuMax uniquely enables both LASIK and SMILE procedures, allowing Dr. Tersigni to match the ideal technique to your eyes rather than limiting options based on available technology.
Should I choose a national chain or local surgeon for LASIK?
Quick Answer: National chains offer standardized procedures and marketing pricing, while fellowship-trained specialists like Dr. Tersigni provide personalized care with world-class credentials.
Complete Answer: Portland LASIK patients face important tradeoffs between national chains and specialist practices that extend beyond pricing considerations. Chains typically employ various surgeons with standard qualifications, often switching patients between different doctors for consultations and surgery. Dr. Tersigni personally conducts your evaluation, performs your procedure, and manages your recovery as the only WCRS fellowship-trained surgeon in Portland. Chains standardize procedures to single techniques regardless of individual eye characteristics, while Dr. Tersigni’s comprehensive platform includes LASIK, SMILE, PRK, and EVO ICL options matched to your specific needs. Recent FTC enforcement revealed only 1.3% of chain patients received advertised pricing, while Dr. Tersigni provides transparent, all-inclusive fees without hidden costs. The choice ultimately depends on whether you prefer standardized, assembly-line efficiency or personalized care from a surgeon recognized among global leaders in refractive surgery.
How long does LASIK recovery take in Portland’s climate?
Quick Answer: Most patients return to work within 1-2 days, with Portland’s moderate climate supporting comfortable healing year-round.
Complete Answer: LASIK recovery in Portland benefits from our region’s stable climate that avoids extreme temperatures and humidity variations that can complicate healing. Most patients experience clear vision within 24-48 hours and return to normal activities including work within 1-2 days. Portland’s frequent light rain doesn’t affect recovery as long as you avoid direct water contact with eyes for the first week. Outdoor activities like hiking the Columbia River Gorge or cycling Portland’s bike paths can typically resume within 2-3 weeks, while swimming requires 4-week clearance. Dr. Tersigni’s advanced VisuMax and EX500 technology combination often results in smoother recovery with less discomfort compared to older systems. Your specific healing timeline depends on prescription strength, age, and individual healing characteristics, which Dr. Tersigni evaluates during consultation to provide personalized recovery expectations. Follow-up appointments at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month ensure optimal healing progression and address any concerns promptly.
What if LASIK doesn’t work perfectly for my eyes?
Quick Answer: Enhancement procedures can fine-tune results when needed, and Dr. Tersigni’s comprehensive platform provides alternatives if LASIK isn’t optimal for your eyes.
Complete Answer: Modern LASIK achieves 20/20 vision or better in 95%+ of patients, but individual healing and response variations occasionally require refinement procedures. Dr. Tersigni’s FWCRS fellowship training includes advanced enhancement techniques using the same precise VisuMax and EX500 technology, typically performed 3-6 months after initial healing when vision has stabilized. His FDA trial experience provides insights into factors that predict enhancement needs, allowing proactive planning during initial treatment. For patients whose eyes aren’t optimal for LASIK, Dr. Tersigni’s comprehensive approach includes SMILE for those preferring minimally invasive options, EVO ICL for extreme prescriptions, and PRK for special corneal characteristics. As the only Portland surgeon offering the complete spectrum of refractive procedures, he can transition between techniques based on your specific response rather than forcing every patient into identical approaches. Enhancement rates at Tersigni Vision remain below national averages due to careful patient selection, precise surgical execution, and technology advantages that improve predictability.
How much does LASIK cost in Portland?
Quick Answer: Tersigni Vision provides transparent, all-inclusive pricing without hidden fees, with financing options available to make world-class care accessible.
Complete Answer: Portland LASIK pricing varies significantly based on surgeon credentials, technology used, and included services, making direct comparisons challenging without understanding complete value propositions. Dr. Tersigni’s fees reflect his FWCRS fellowship credentials, advanced VisuMax/EX500 technology platform, comprehensive evaluation including alternatives to LASIK when appropriate, and personal involvement throughout your care. Recent FTC enforcement revealed that national chains’ advertised rates applied to only 1.3% of patients, with most paying significantly higher final costs. Tersigni Vision provides transparent pricing that includes pre-operative testing, surgery, post-operative medications, and follow-up care without surprise charges. Many patients use FSA or HSA funds to cover the full amount tax-free, and CareCredit financing enables affordable monthly payments. The investment in vision correction typically reaches break-even within 5-10 years compared to glasses and contact lens costs, while providing decades of visual freedom. During consultation, we’ll provide detailed pricing information and discuss financing options that make Dr. Tersigni’s world-class expertise accessible within your budget.
Portland’s Most Trusted Vision Correction Experience
Portland residents deserve vision correction that exceeds expectations through exceptional credentials, advanced technology, and personalized care. Dr. Tersigni’s unique combination of FWCRS fellowship recognition, personal vision correction experience, and comprehensive procedure options creates the region’s most complete approach to laser vision correction.
Your journey begins with thorough evaluation using advanced diagnostic equipment that maps your eyes’ unique characteristics and determines your optimal procedure. Dr. Tersigni personally conducts this consultation, explaining your options based on decades of experience helping thousands achieve visual freedom. The actual procedure takes just minutes using our gentle VisuMax and precise EX500 systems, with most patients surprised by the comfort and ease of their experience.
Recovery in Portland’s moderate climate typically progresses smoothly, with clear vision emerging within hours and continued improvement over several weeks. Dr. Tersigni remains personally involved throughout your healing process, ensuring optimal results and addressing any questions promptly.
Ready to experience Portland’s most advanced laser vision correction?
Contact Tersigni Vision to schedule your comprehensive evaluation with Oregon’s only World College of Refractive Surgeons Fellowship-trained surgeon. Discover how world-class credentials, cutting-edge technology, and personal understanding combine to deliver the visual freedom you deserve.
Professional Review: Reviewed by Dr. Steven Tersigni, MD, World College of Refractive Surgeons Fellowship. Dr. Tersigni is board-certified in ophthalmology and refractive surgery with fellowship training in refractive surgery under Dr. Y. Ralph Chu and has participated in 10 FDA clinical trials for advanced vision correction technologies.
Last Updated: September 2025 | Next Review: December 2025
Practice Information: Tersigni Vision 15150 Bangy Road Lake Oswego, OR 97035 (971) 362-2020
Serving Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tigard, Tualatin, Milwaukie, Hillsboro, Vancouver and surrounding Oregon communities.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary based on eye health, prescription, age, and healing characteristics. LASIK and other refractive procedures involve risks including dry eye, glare, halos, and potential need for enhancement procedures. Always consult with a qualified ophthalmologist for personalized evaluation and treatment recommendations.
source https://www.tersignivision.com/lasik/lasik-portland-oregons-only-wcrs-fellowship-trained-surgeon/
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