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Frequently Asked Questions: LASIK and Cataract Eye Surgery in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC

The following are answers to frequently asked questions provided to help you better understand the LASIK and cataract eye surgery procedures offered at our Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia area practice locations.

LASIK Eye Surgery

Cataract Surgery

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LASIK Eye Surgery

Am I a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

Individuals with myopia, astigmatism, or hyperopia can enjoy the benefits of LASIK eye surgery. LASIK is available to individuals with a wide range of prescriptions. Candidates for LASIK eye surgery are over 21 years old and in good health. LASIK candidates should have realistic expectations of the potential outcome for their prescription. Ocular conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts may be contraindications for LASIK. Certain medical conditions such as uncontrolled rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes are also contraindications for LASIK eye surgery. Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism can all be corrected with laser vision surgery. To provide patients with a successful outcome, the surgeons at Eye Doctors of Washington limit the correction to:

Myopia (-0.50 to -10.00 diopters)

Hyperopia (+0.50 to +4.50 diopters)

Astigmatism (+0.50 to +5.0 diopters with myopia or +3.0 diopters with hyperopia)

To help patients determine whether they are LASIK eye surgery candidates, EDOW, serving Washington, DC, and surrounding areas, provides complimentary screenings, which include diagnostic testing, educational videos, and discussion of refractive alternatives.

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Why is Eye Doctors of Washington my clear choice for laser vision correction?

Eye Doctors of Washington offers extraordinary care by surgeons who are recognized experts in the field of ophthalmology. Our physicians have performed thousands of procedures. Eye Doctors of Washington surgeons have authored numerous scientific articles and are invited guest lecturers at national and international meetings. This year alone they have presented at the following meetings:

  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
  • Washington Hospital Center
  • Washington Optometric Society

Eye Doctors of Washington surgeons were involved in the clinical studies that led to U.S. FDA approval of the LASIK eye surgery, PRK, and Intacs® procedures. They also serve on the boards of the Washington Metropolitan Ophthalmology Society and scientific committees for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eye Doctors of Washington surgeons are involved as clinical instructors in training ophthalmologists on the VISX® and IntraLase® Laser systems and have received numerous awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and VISX®.

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What other refractive procedures are offered by Eye Doctors of Washington?

Although LASIK eye surgery is the most common refractive surgery procedure performed in the United States today, not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. Other refractive procedures are currently available and exciting new refractive developments are anticipated.

In addition to LASIK eye surgery, EDOW, serving Washington, DC, and surrounding areas, offers the following refractive procedures:

How long have Eye Doctors of Washington surgeons been performing LASIK eye surgery?

Our surgeons were involved in the clinical trials that led to the FDA approval of LASIK, PRK and Intacs®. They have been performing laser vision correction since 1994! They have trained thousands of surgeons in the latest techniques of refractive surgery.

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Can Eye Doctors of Washington predict my results?

LASIK eye surgery has been performed in the United States for approximately 10 years with excellent results. The vast majority of patients with low to moderate myopia realize better than 20/40 vision, the vision standard by which most states test vision for operating a motor vehicle. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better. Periodically, an enhancement is needed to improve the initial LASIK outcome.

I only wear glasses for reading. Can I still have LASIK eye surgery?

An ocular condition called presbyopia generally occurs in individuals between the ages of 40 and 50 and is responsible for increased difficulty in reading small print. Inside the eye, a change in the natural crystalline lens results in presbyopia. Because LASIK does not treat the lens inside the eye, LASIK cannot correct this condition. Many patients with presbyopia elect to have LASIK eye surgery using a correction called monovision. With a monovision correction, one eye receives a full distance correction and the other eye receives a lesser correction enabling the patient to have great near vision. Dr. Thomas had monovision correction and loves it! Eye Doctors of Washington doctors will gladly assist you in determining if monovision is a good choice for you.

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Will I need reading glasses after LASIK eye surgery?

Many patients over 40 years old who receive LASIK eye surgery to treat their distance vision will need reading glasses for close vision. This is a condition called presbyopia, in which the lens of the eye progressively weakens, making it more difficult to read small print. However, monovision is a great alternative. Monovision allows patients to see distant objects with one eye and to read with the other eye. The choice of monovision is individual and can be based on a prior record of success with monovision contact lenses. Your physician at Eye Doctors of Washington will fully discuss these options with you.

Will I feel anything during my procedure?

Prior to LASIK eye surgery, topical anesthetic eye drops will be administered to numb your eye so that you will not experience pain during the procedure. You may experience a sensation of pressure on the eye when the surgeon applies the microkeratome or IntraLase®. Neither the creation of the flap nor the laser causes pain.

Some patients report a scratching or burning sensation after their procedure. We recommend that you take a short nap after returning home. After several hours these feelings will subside.

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Do I need follow up care?

Eye Doctors of Washington's fees include one year of follow up care. Post-op visits are done at one day, one to two weeks, one to two months, and as needed.

What is a LASIK enhancement?

Our goal is to provide you with the best vision possible. Although the vast majority of LASIK patients enjoy 20/20 vision, occasionally a LASIK re-treatment is recommended to improve the vision. Fast recovery is typical for LASIK eye surgery patients, with each individual healing at different rates. Most patients achieve good vision quickly, with continuing improvements over the next month or two. Given the unique nature of healing patterns and rates, recovery times vary. Your vision will be checked at frequent intervals and, if necessary and desired, an enhancement will be recommended to give improved results.

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What are the risks of LASIK eye surgery?

Patients should understand that LASIK eye surgery is a surgical procedure and like all surgical procedures, carries the potential for complications. Approximately one million laser vision procedures are performed each year. LASIK is now one of the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States. To date, no long-term consequences have been attributed to LASIK. Most complications resolve within several months and do not result in long-term interference with vision. The overall complication rate with LASIK has been demonstrated to diminish with surgeon experience. Numerous studies from around the world have carefully looked at the long-term effects of LASIK eye surgery. In the hands of experienced surgeons, complications occur in less than 1 percent of patients. No patient treated at Eye Doctors of Washington has ever experienced a substantial long-term vision loss that prevented the ability to perform tasks such as driving. For a complete list of possible complications, please read the LASIK consent form.

Will I have both eyes done the same day?

Due to the high level of success associated with LASIK, bilateral LASIK procedures are most commonly performed. Patients should be counseled regarding the advantages and disadvantages of correcting one eye at a time.

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Is LASIK eye surgery covered by insurance?

Most insurance companies consider LASIK eye surgery an elective procedure. For this reason, LASIK is not usually a covered expense. In some instances, specific insurers may cover LASIK eye surgery in whole or in part. Eye Doctors of Washington will gladly provide you with any information needed in these instances.

Does Eye Doctors of Washington provide financing?

Eye Doctors of Washington is glad to furnish convenient patient financing through Wells Fargo. Please visit our financing page for more information.

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What is Wavefront™ technology?

An instrument called the WaveScan™ performs Wavefront™ analysis. The WaveScan™ assesses every ray of light that enters the eye. It determines what alterations in the visual system will produce the clearest image. Therefore, Wavefront™ analyzers precisely measure the overall refractive error of the entire eye, including any aberrations caused by the tear film, anterior and posterior cornea, lens, vitreous and retina. The Wavefront™ sensor measures your unique refraction and is 25 times more sensitive than a standard refraction. In some areas, Wavefront™ technology can more accurately assess the refractive error to be treated as well as assist in determining which patients would do better with customized ablations or custom LASIK eye surgery.

What is customized ablation?

Customized ablation or Custom LASIK is a procedure that exceeds the results achieved through standard laser vision correction. With standard laser treatment, your glasses correction is removed. Every eye has other imperfections that cannot be corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, or standard laser procedures. These are called higher order aberrations. They are caused by minute misalignments of the eye's optical components. Using Wavefront™ analysis (see question above), the excimer laser can be programmed to correct these subtle abnormalities, thereby improving visual contrast and the spatial detail of images seen by the eye. In other words patients often see better after custom LASIK eye surgery than they saw through their glasses or contact lenses because we're correcting for so much more. Custom LASIK may improve vision to better than 20/20!

If you have additional questions or would like more information about LASIK eye surgery offered by our Washington, DC, and Maryland area surgeons, contact Eye Doctors of Washington today.

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Cataracts

Is there an age limit for cataract surgery?

Many cataract surgery patients visiting our Northern Virginia area surgeons at our offices in Maryland and Washington, DC, worry that they may be too old for the procedure; however, with new technological advances almost all patients meet the criteria for these outpatient surgeries. We have operated on many patients over the age of 100!

Do I need clearance from a regular physician to have cataract surgery?

Yes, an overall evaluation of your health and some routine physical test are required prior to cataract surgery. Our surgical coordinator will provide you with the necessary forms that need to be filled out by your physician. If you do not have a physician, our staff will assist you in finding a doctor close to your home.

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How do you determine which IOL will be most effective?

Since each patient’s vision is different, a measurement must be taken to determine the length of the eye. This measurement is taken using an A-Scan test, which works like an ultrasound, but on a much smaller scale.

Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?

Some patients may need glasses after undergoing cataract surgery, but many experience clear vision at distance and near ranges with intraocular lens implants such as ReSTOR® and ReZoom™. Your doctor will be able to determine which of these options is best for you based on your current vision and goals.

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What are the risks of cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries with it the potential for risks and complications. Though rare, the possible risks of surgery include: bleeding, postoperative infection, severe corneal edema, retinal detachment, permanent dilation of the pupil, and even loss of vision. Other complications include the development of astigmatism and drooping of the upper eyelid, both of which are treatable. Cataract surgery is a common procedure and we make every effort to minimize the chance for any problems to occur during or after surgery. Please read the cataract consent form for a complete list of risks.

Is there an alternative to cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is necessary in order to remove a cataract that has begun to form. However, daily intake of Vitamin C may slow the progression of cataracts. At Eye Doctors of Washington, we recommend that patients take 100 units of Vitamin C. This amount is present in most daily multi-vitamin supplements and safe for most individuals. However, keep in mind that excessive amounts of vitamins can be hazardous to your health. If you have questions or concerns about your vitamin intake, contact your physician.

If you have additional questions or would like more information about LASIK or cataract eye surgery offered at our Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland area practice, contact Eye Doctors of Washington today.

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2 Wisconsin Circle Suites 200 and 230 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
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1016 16th Street NW
Lower Level 100
Washington, DC 20036
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If you are interested in vision correction or another eye procedure, contact Eye Doctors of Washington today to schedule an appointment with an experienced and dedicated surgeon.