Eye Doctors of Washington – Serving the Chevy Chase, MD, and Northern Virginia Areas
Eye Doctors of Washington provides state-of-the-art eye care throughout the Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC metropolitan area. The clinic’s highly skilled team of eye care professionals and award-winning ophthalmologists are dedicated to improving vision and providing personalized care. The practice specializes in laser vision correction, including bladeless LASIK surgery. It also offers treatment for glaucoma and dry eyes, as well as cosmetic treatments.
LASIK
LASIK is an outpatient procedure that can reduce or eliminate your need for eyeglasses and contacts. It corrects refractive errors by reshaping the cornea. To reshape the cornea, your surgeon creates a flap in the tissue. This can be done using a blade called a microkeratome or a laser. We use a femtosecond laser for LASIK. You must stop wearing contact lenses for a time period advised by your ophthalmologist before the procedure.
During the procedure, you will be asked to look at a target light and may feel pressure or hear a clicking sound. Your eye surgeon will then use the laser to reshape your cornea.
PRK
PRK is a laser vision correction procedure that can safely treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It works by altering the shape of the cornea, which bends light toward the retina.
Our doctors participated in the original clinical trials that led to the FDA approval of PRK, so they’re among the most experienced PRK surgeons in the country.
During this safe and effective procedure, we first numb your eyes with medicated eye drops. Then, an instrument removes the epithelium to access the corneal tissue beneath it. This is done quickly and skillfully to avoid damage to Bowman’s layer.
Cataract Surgery
In cataract surgery, a clear artificial lens replaces the natural lens that becomes cloudy with age. This allows light rays to focus on the retina to improve vision.
Our eye surgeons use the latest techniques to perform cataract surgery. You will be in and out of the procedure quickly with minimal discomfort. You will need someone to drive you home after the operation.
Dr. Holzman is a leader in refractive surgery, having helped thousands of patients achieve improved vision, including professional athletes. He has performed over 90,000 LASIK and PRK procedures and has trained many other surgeons.
Glaucoma Treatment
Many types of glaucoma cause eye pressure to build up and damage the optic nerve. Treatments lower eye pressure and slow the damage. But they can’t restore lost vision.
There are a variety of treatments for glaucoma, including medicines (usually eye drops), laser treatment and surgery. Your doctor will choose the best one for you based on your type of glaucoma, its severity and how quickly it’s progressing.
Most people with open-angle glaucoma don’t have early warning signs, so they need regular comprehensive dilated eye exams to detect the disease in its early stages. That way, they can start treatment before damage occurs.
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses contain corrective lenses held within frames. They address all of the same vision complications as contact lenses and are available in a variety of shapes, strengths, and treatments.
The corrective lenses are adjusted to match the prescription determined by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The strength of the lens is measured in diopters, and the lens shape is based on the patient’s visual needs.
Eyeglasses improve the quality of life for people with myopia, boosting education outcomes and making it less likely that they will drop out of school. They also reduce deadly traffic accidents caused by impaired vision.
Contact Lenses
Many people can benefit from contact lenses as an alternative to eyeglasses. New technology has made it possible to wear contact lenses comfortably and safely for extended periods of time. Toric lenses correct astigmatism and multifocal lenses help patients with presbyopia, an aging change that affects near vision.
Lenses worn incorrectly or not replaced in time can lead to complications, including corneal ulcers and vision loss. These conditions may result from not following the recommended replacement schedule or sleeping in contacts that are not designed for overnight wear.
Rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses allow more oxygen to pass through the lens to the cornea. They are less prone to bacterial deposits and may provide crisper vision.
Cosmetic Eye Surgery
Cosmetic eye surgery is available to reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. This procedure is typically performed under general or local anesthesia, and you will be able to discuss your specific goals with your surgeon before the surgery. The incisions that your surgeon makes will be carefully concealed within the natural contours of the eye area, and you can expect to see improved results within just a few days. Any swelling or bruising will subside within a few weeks. Your care team will provide you with individualized instructions for your recovery.