Dr. Andrew Holzman and Washington Nationals Ace Pitcher John Lannan
I was referred to Dr Holzman by the Washington Nationals' team eye doctor, Dr. Smithson. I definitely wanted the best surgeon who would be very careful and make sure everything was perfect. Dr Holzman at TLC came very highly recommended. I felt totally comfortable through the entire process as Dr Holzman's confidence and skill let me easily relax. It was incredibly easy. My eyesight is 20/15 now and I can't believe how much better i can see than before surgery. This was a GREAT decision for me and i am really looking forward to the up-coming baseball season with my new eyesight.
-- John Lannan
Washington Nationals
Dr. Andrew Holzman with Major League Soccer Star Alecko Eskandarian of LA Galaxy
Dr. Holzman, I just want to thank you and your staff for taking great care of me when I recently had LASIK surgery at your TLC office. As a pro soccer player, my vision is extremely important and directly affects my performance on the field. Just like anyone else, I had questions about LASIK surgery and made sure I did my research before choosing to go forward with it. After wearing contact lenses and glasses for most of my life, I decided LASIK was the best option and have to admit the results have been fantastic. I am able to see clearer than ever before and haven't had to worry about the frustrations of managing my contact lenses. This has helped improve my quality of life in that I no longer have had to worry about my eyesight, both on and off the field. Thank you TLC!
-- Alecko Eskandarian
LA Galaxy
Dr. Andrew Holzman is located at:
TLC Laser Eye Centers - Tysons Corner
1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 120
McLean, VA 22102
Ph / 703.556.9155
Fax / 703.761.4960
PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)
Available in the United States since 1996, PRK is a procedure that corrects vision by reshaping the eye’s cornea. It is used to treat low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. PRK is different from LASIK in that the epithelium, or outer layer of the cornea, is removed entirely during a PRK procedure, and the laser is applied to the surface of the cornea rather than to the inner tissue.
For nearsighted individuals, the goal of the PRK procedure is to flatten a steep cornea. To improve vision in farsighted patients, PRK is used to increase the steepness of a cornea that is too flat. For treating astigmatism, the procedure is used to reshape the cornea, making it more spherical.
Risks and Benefits
PRK patients can expect to achieve uncorrected visual acuity similar to LASIK patients. Although it typically takes longer to fully recover and achieve optimal results following PRK, this procedure remains the vision correction method of choice for patients with certain corneal conditions or corneal scars that prevent them from being suitable candidates for LASIK. As with all laser vision correction techniques, there is a very small risk of scarring or infection as a result of this procedure. Some patients also experience a glare or halo effect and light sensitivity after undergoing PRK. Dr. Holzman and TLC Laser Eye Centers use special protocols and medications specifically to minimize all of the risks.
On Procedure Day
After arriving at your scheduled time, you may be offered a sedative to help you relax. You will then be prepared for surgery. The area around your eyes will be cleaned and anesthetic eye drops will be used to numb your eyes; no injections or needles will be used. When your eye is completely numb, a speculum will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the procedure.
Next, Dr. Holzman will remove the epithelium, a thin layer of protective skin that covers the cornea. You will be asked to look directly at a target light while the laser reshapes your cornea. The laser will be programmed with the information gathered during your pre-operative exam. The laser treatment will be completed in less than a minute.
After the Procedure
Following your procedure, your eye(s) will be examined with a slit lamp microscope and then shielded for protection with soft clear contact lenses called bandage contact lenses. You will wear these for three to five days to assist the healing process. Your vision may be blurry or hazy for one to five days. You may experience some discomfort as the epithelium heals and covers the treated area. Eye drops, pain medication, and protective contact lenses will be used to minimize this discomfort. Most patients resume normal activities within one to three days, but vision can fluctuate for up to six months after the procedure.