Palmetto Eye Institute
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ONE on ONE care

By limiting our schedule, you will have ample time to spend with Dr. Itharat during the examination.

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Unparalleled Experience

We take pride in providing a comfortable and personal experience.  You will become part of our small medical family, and not just another number in a large group practice.

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Modern Technology

Our practice offers modern technology, such as high resolution picture scans of your eye, laser cataract surgery, and the newest cataract replacement lens offerings.

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DEDICATED STAFF

Our friendly staff will provide you with an exceptional experience. Come see the difference.

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EXPERIENCED CARE

You can trust your eyes are in good hands as Dr. Itharat has performed thousands of successful surgical procedures. He has restored vision to thousands of patients.

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SHORT WAIT TIMES

Our office schedules efficiently to minimize waiting because we know your time is valuable.

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NEW FACILITY

Built in 2018, our brand new modern facility in Carnes Crossroads provides high level quality care close to you.

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IN OFFICE CARE

We provide many laser treatments at our office, saving you time and money.

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EASY ACCESS

Our office accepts all medical insurances, including Medicare, all Medicare replacement plans, Medicaid, and all SC commercial plans.

Our doctor

Prat Itharat M.D. is a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery and comprehensive eye care.  He is trained in the latest small incision cataract surgery techniques, including laser assisted technology.  He founded Palmetto Eye Institute, formerly Palmetto Cataract and Eye Specialists, in 2012 after practicing in the Lowcountry since 2008.

We are pleased to bring cutting edge technology and services to Berkeley, Dorchester, and surrounding counties.

 

  • University of Pennsylvania, B.A.
  • University of Michigan, M.S.
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University, M.D. (graduated in the top 10% of his medical school class)
  • Vanderbilt University, Ophthalmology Residency (elected Chief Resident)
  • Board Certified Ophthalmologist (scored in the top 10% of the written qualifying examination)
Prat Itharat, M.D.

A great believer in education, Dr. Itharat is a former clinical instructor at the Storm Eye Institute (MUSC).  His dedication to teaching extends to his interactions with his patients.

View my Board Certification Status

Clinical Services

Dr. Itharat specializes in small incision cataract surgery.  He incorporates the latest cataract surgery advancements, including laser assisted (femtosecond laser) technology and advanced lens implant technology to decrease your need for eyeglasses and contact lens.  Each treatment is customized to your needs and eye health, and Dr. Itharat will offer his recommendations during your pre-operative consultation.

Our office provides comprehensive eye examinations to screen for eye conditions and diseases.  In many cases, these conditions can be diagnosed and treated before any vision loss occurs.  We also perform eye exams for eyeglasses.  

An annual eye examination is recommended for all diabetic patients.  Diabetes, over time, can damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye, causing vision loss.  Because we believe communication is crucial, we will send a copy of your diabetic eye report to your primary care provider on the same day of your exam.

Dry eyes is very common with aging and can manifest in different ways.  We offer a wide variety of treatment from prescription eye drops, lifestyle changes, and punctal plug placement.

We receive numerous referrals from urgent care centers and emergency rooms for emergency-related eye injuries or concerns.  Rest assured, whether you are having severe pain, redness, or vision loss, we will try best to see you the same day.

We can evaluate and remove most lesions around your eyes and eyelids.  In some cases, removal may not be necessary, and careful observation may be the best course of treatment.

If you experience a sudden onset of floaters, flashing lights, or veil in your vision, you should be seen within 24-48 hours to be evaluated for a retinal tear or detachment.  We can offer a prompt diagnosis and, if we cannot laser the tear or detachment, refer you immediately to excellent retinal surgeons in the Lowcountry.

Glaucoma is an insidious cause of painless loss of vision.  In the United States, 50% of people do not realize they have glaucoma.  Fortunately, over 90% of vision loss from glaucoma can be treated.  We offer a wide range of treatment from medical intervention with eye drops, laser treatment to lower eye pressures, and surgical options with the iStent placement.

Living in South Carolina can expose you to many allergens. We can discuss the best course of action for minimizing and treating your allergic eye condition.

We are well versed in removing foreign bodies from the eye.  In the great majority of cases, the foreign body is located on the cornea or front covering of the eye.  Removal can be done in the office, providing immediate  pain relief.

If you experience a sudden onset of floaters, flashing lights, or veil in your vision, you should be seen within 24-48 hours to be evaluated for a retinal tear or detachment.  We can offer a prompt diagnosis and, if we cannot laser the tear or detachment, refer you immediately to excellent retinal surgeons in the Lowcountry.

If you are taking plaquenil or hydroxychloroquine, you should have an annual screening examination to ensure there is no ocular medication toxicity.  Our office is equipped with the technology needed to diagnose and screen for early damage.

Shingles can potentially cause blindness.  If you have shingles around your forehead or eyes, you should have a full ophthalmic evaluation.

Styes or chalazions are blocked oil glands.  They can become uncomfortably large and can sometimes take months to resolve.  We offer stye drainage in the office.  In most cases, the drainage is performed on a secondary visit to see if conservative treatment will work prior to drainage.

Most people rate sight as their most precious sense.  It can be quite upsetting when you lose vision.   We can diagnose and treat many causes of vision loss.

If you have a question about additional services provided, please call our office at 843-259-2002.

Surgical Services

Dr. Itharat performs the latest advances in cataract surgery, including the use of the Catalys (femtosecond) laser system and ORA.  He also offers the highest quality lens implants to decrease or minimize your need for eyeglasses.  These premium lens include the Toric lens, multifocal lens, and extended depth of focus lens.  We provide a detailed and informative cataract brochure to our patients.  Dr. Itharat will personally review the best options to you, given your lifestyle and expected visual outcomes.

Dr. Itharat also specializes in small incision traditional cataract surgery.  This is a good option to maximize your vision, although you may still be dependent on glasses or contact lens after the surgery.

Diabetes can cause damage to your blood vessels, allowing fluid and blood to leak into the back layer of the eye or retina.  Our office is equipped with laser treatment, including micropulse technology, to treat this condition and minimize laser induced eye damage.

We can easily remove most eyelid lesions in the office.  Due to the nature of these procedures and insurance coverage, these clinic “surgeries” are often scheduled on a second visit.

We have in-office laser treatment, SLT, or selective laser trabeculoplasty.  This is a low-risk laser treatment for glaucoma patients to decrease their eye pressures.  Surgical options include iStent placement at the time of cataract surgery.

iStent is a small device placed into the drainage system of your eye at the end of cataract surgery.  It can be placed in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma.  iStent placement, at this time, is only covered during cataract surgery and reimbursement may vary dependent on your insurance.

We are well versed in removing foreign bodies from the eyes.  In the great majority of cases, the foreign body is located on the cornea or front covering of the eye.  Removal can be done in the office, relieving your irritation and pain.

Posterior capsular opacities or secondary cataracts are very common after undergoing cataract surgery.  Over time, you can develop a scar behind the lens implant.  If you have this scar or  secondary cataract, you may experience similar symptoms to your initial cataracts, such as poor vision and glare.  Our office is the only one (to our knowledge) in the Charleston area to own a YAG laser to remove these opacities.  This saves you time and money.  Due to insurance and schedule concerns, we often schedule these lasers on your second office visit.

Punctal plugs are small silicone or collagen plugs placed into your tear duct.  Plugs help to maintain your natural tears and alleviate dry eye symptoms.

A pterygium is a yellow or white growth, usually on the horizontal aspect of the eye, due to sunlight damage.  If your pterygium causes chronic redness, or irritation, or changes in your vision, it can be removed.

A retinal tear can rapidly progress to a retinal detachment, causing severe vision loss.  We can offer prompt diagnosis of the tear and same day treatment.  If we cannot reach the tear with our equipment, we will refer you to an excellent retinal surgeon in the area.

Styes are blocked oil glands.  When they become large, they may irritate your eyes and take months to resolve.  We offer in office stye drainage.  Due to scheduling and insurance reasons, stye drainages are usually scheduled on your second office visit.

Please call our office at 843-259-2002 to inquire about other surgical services not listed here.

Office Tour

Located in the heart of Summerville's growth, our beautifully appointed office was professionally designed with your comfort in mind.

Technology

Advanced Cataract Surgery with the Catalys precision laser system and ORA

The Catalys laser cataract system is, without a doubt, the most technologically advanced option for our cataract patients today. The Catalys laser system allows for a customized, precise, accurate, and gentle removal of your cataract. This system obtains real-time imaging of your eye, allowing for customized treatment and extreme precision. In Dr. Itharat's experience, this precision allows for better intraocular lens centration and more predictable outcomes. Furthermore, the laser can treat a moderate degree of astigmatism in order to decrease your need for glasses or contact lens. The laser also helps to soften the cataract, making the cataract easier to remove and possibly speeding up healing time and your visual recovery.

ORA, or intraoperative aberrometry, is a revolutionary device designed to provide accuracy for better uncorrected vision after cataract surgery. In the operating room, the ORA takes measurements of the eye after the cataract is removed. It then calculates the best lens power to minimize the need for glasses. Although ORA can be used for all patients, there are some patients who greatly benefit from this technology. If you have had prior eye surgery such as LASIK, PRK, or RK, you should strongly consider use of the ORA. If you have a short or long eye, you should consider use of the ORA. We highly recommend the use of ORA if you select an astigmatism, multifocal, or extended depth of focus lens to ensure the best visual outcome. The ORA provides a higher level of accuracy which is beyond the standard pre-cataract measurements performed in the clinic.

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Advanced Technology Lens

We are pleased to offer the highest quality lens implants for cataract surgery. These implants can help decrease your need for glasses or contact lens.

A Toric or astigmatism correcting lens, can decrease your need for glasses at one focal distance, for reading or for distance vision.

A multifocal lens can provide you with excellent distance vision and very good to excellent intermediate and reading vision. The multifocal lens gives you the best option to decrease your need for eyeglasses. Studies show that patients using a multifocal lens can function comfortably without glasses about 80-95% of the time. Patients rate their overall vision as 9.1 (on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best) with a multifocal lens. For comparison, patients with monofocal IOLs rate their vision at 8.3.

The Symfony IOL is an extended depth of focus lens which allows for excellent distance vision and excellent intermediate vision. It provides continuous vision from intermediate to distance.

Spectralis OCT imaging

We own one of the few Heidelberg Spectralis multi-modality imaging technology in the Charleston area. The Heidelberg Spectralis is a type of optical coherence tomography or OCT. OCT testing is often used to assist in the diagnosis of diseases which affect the optic nerve and retina (such as glaucoma, diabetic eye damage, and macular degeneration). The Spectralis provides superb image detail and clarity to help diagnose and follow these conditions. It offers eye tracking and non-flash photography, providing for a faster and more comfortable experience for you. In fact, Duke University glaucoma service utilizes the same instrument to diagnose and treat glaucoma. The blue peak autofluorescence modality provides novel information (not available or seen with prior imaging machines) about the health of the retina.

Iridex micropulse laser

If you need treatment for diabetes or glaucoma, you will receive the most modern laser treatment available. Older laser treatments generate immense heat that damages body tissues. Iridex’s micropulse laser offers a tissue-sparing technology, which creates less heat damage. This newer laser provides the same effective treatment while preserving your natural tissues. Tissue-sparing technology also allows for the re-application of treatment because of minimal laser tissue damage. We also offer in the office laser treatment for posterior capsular opacities, or scar tissue that occurs after cataract surgery.

Electronic medical records

Too often, an office manager or administrator selects the medical records program for the clinic. Because this decision maker is not a clinician, he/she is unable to evaluate the clinical usage, efficacy, nuances, and performance of the program. This results in increased frustration for the physician and the patient. In contrast, Dr. Itharat hand picked our medical records software to ensure an efficient and pleasant experience for both the practice and for you. Electronic records allow for improved care coordination, consistency, safety, convenience, and efficacy.

What Our Patients Say

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Contact Us

(843) 259-2002

515 Carnes Crossing Blvd., Summerville, SC 29486

team@palmettoeyeinstitute.com

© PALMETTO EYE INSTITUTE, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2021.