LASIK Surgery Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC

LASIK surgery is an extremely popular vision correction procedure that permanently changes the shape of the clear outer covering of the eye known as the cornea. LASIK is used to treat low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in order to reduce one's dependence on contact lenses or glasses. The goal of LASIK surgery is to make the cornea flatter in nearsighted individuals, steeper in farsighted individuals, and more spherical in individuals with astigmatism.

Because Dr. Holzman focuses on providing the highest quality and most advanced care, we have invested in the safest and most precise equipment to maximize the results of your LASIK procedure. Dr. Holzman and his staff at TLC Laser Eye Centers carefully perform preoperative diagnostic testing to determine which LASIK technique is best suited for your individual vision correction needs. Our completely customized treatment plans ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome from your LASIK procedure at TLC Laser Eye Centers in the Washington DC Metro area. In addition to our McLean eye center, we also are located in Charlottesville, Virginia and Rockville, Maryland.

LASIK Experience

"After all my eyes have been through, I consider Lasik to truly be a miracle. So, what have my eyes been through? Well, first of all, I should mention that I am a commercial pilot and, previously, an Air Force pilot. Eyes have always been considered one of a pilot's most valuable assets. Having good vision has been a concern of mine since the time I entered the Air Force Academy 30 years ago.

I decided that if I was going to have Lasik surgery, it should be performed by the best I doctor I could find. My exhaustive research led me to Dr. Holzman, a veteran of more than 55,000 procedures. Using Dr. Holzman would require that I travel three hours for the surgery, but I had no doubts that the drive would be well worth it.

The final impetus for me was talking personally with Dr. Holzman. He was surprisingly easy to get in touch with. He patiently and confidently answered all questions and concerns that I had. His staff was also accommodating and a great source of knowledge. On the day of the operation, Dr. Holzman displayed a quiet confidence that let me know everything was going to go just fine. Just a few minutes of surgery per eye and I was a changed man." Read More

- David Webb, Commercial Airline Pilot and Author

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Risks and Benefits

LASIK has become the procedure of choice for most of our patients because they recover quickly and experience fewer complications and side effects than with other methods of vision correction. Indeed, Dr. Holzman has been consistently successful in helping our patients eliminate or reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses through LASIK surgery. Serious complications are extremely rare, and the chance of having a vision-reducing complication is much less than one percent. To minimize potential risks, Dr. Holzman and the expert staff at the TLC Laser Eye Centers in the Washington DC Metro area perform extensive pre-operative testing to determine which, if any, LASIK technique is most appropriate for each individual patient. All LASIK patients will receive thorough information concerning any and all risks to the procedure. In addition, discussions will be had with staff and doctors concerning your unique case and any special risks that may be present.

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On Procedure Day

On the day of your LASIK procedure, you should plan to arrive at the TLC Laser Eye Center at your scheduled time. Please do not be late. Avoid wearing any colognes, perfumes, or scented soaps that day. After being checked in, you may be offered a sedative to help you relax. You will be prepared for surgery, and the area around your eyes will be cleaned. Anesthetic eye drops will be administered to numb your eyes; no injections or needles will be used. When your eye is completely numb, a device will be placed between your eyelids to prevent you from blinking during the procedure.

The first step of the LASIK procedure is the creation of a corneal flap, which will be accomplished the safest and most precise way possible, using the IntraLase laser system. No blades will be used. The LASIK procedure is not painful, but you may experience a sensation of pressure on your eye. The excimer laser will then be used to reshape your cornea according to the customized treatment plan developed from your pre-operative diagnostic testing. Depending on the amount of correction needed, the laser treatment will take approximately one to two minutes. The corneal flap is then repositioned. The corneal flap will heal on its own, and no sutures are necessary.

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After the Procedure

After LASIK, your eyes will be examined with a slit lamp microscope. You should plan to go home, take a two to three hour nap, and spend the rest of the day relaxing. You may experience very mild discomfort for 12 to 24 hours after the procedure, but this is typically alleviated with an over-the-counter pain reliever. You may also experience sensitivity to light and watering or swelling of the eyes for a few days following your LASIK surgery. Most people are able to resume normal activities as soon as the day after the procedure; however, it is important that you do not use eye makeup or creams for one week and avoid rubbing your eyes for three or four weeks.

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