LASIK & Refractive Surgery Co-Management in Washington

LASIK & Refractive Surgery Co-Management in Washington

Vision Correction You Can Count On

(202) 659-6555

Discover a Whole New World With LASIK and Other Refractive Surgeries

Wish you could see the world more clearly without having to rely on your glasses or contact lenses?

Refractive eye surgery may be the perfect solution for you!

With LASIK, you’ll enjoy clear vision, all day, everyday — without any need for corrective eyewear.

Have any of the following?

  • Myopia/nearsightedness–difficulty seeing faraway objects
  • Hyperopia/farsightedness–difficulty seeing near objects 
  • Astigmatism–blurred perception of near and far objects

Gone are the days of foggy, rain-speckled lenses. LASIK will give you the clear vision you desire and the confidence you deserve.

blurred vision


What is LASIK and Refractive Surgery Co-Management?

LASIK and other refractive surgeries are delicate, and it can all feel overwhelming. That's why we work together with the eye surgeon to provide you with the best outcome in the most efficient manner.

We'll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and determine whether you're a candidate for refractive eye surgery. If so, we'll refer you to the ophthalmologist for surgery. Following surgery, we'll provide post-operative care to make sure you maintain healthy, clear vision.

Getting co-managed for LASIK and other refractive surgeries is an advantage, as you benefit from the expertise of two medical experts who work together to provide you with the best eye surgery results possible.

Contact Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington to schedule a consultation and find out if LASIK (or other refractive surgeries) is right for you.


How LASIK and Other Refractive Surgeries Improve Vision

kids under water in the pool

Have trouble seeing near or far away? The source of the problem may be the curvature of your cornea. An irregular corneal shape affects the way light hits the retina–which sends visual signals to the brain.

LASIK and other refractive surgeries change the shape of your cornea to offer you clear vision, without the need for contacts and glasses. After the surgery, you'll be able to swim, shower and play sports without a second thought about your eyesight.


LASIK & Refractive Surgery Benefits

  • Highly effective

    There is a reason LASIK is so popular–96% of patients report satisfaction after this procedure.

  • Works quickly

    You may see results from LASIK or other refractive surgery quickly–sometimes as soon as a day or two after the treatment.

  • Minimal discomfort

    You are unlikely to feel any pain during the procedure thanks to the numbing drops. Also, you won’t need stitches or bandages after surgery.

  • Quick recovery time

    Compared to other eye surgeries, LASIK has a relatively quick recovery time. Although the speed varies from patient to patient, you may feel like yourself again in as little as 6 to 12 hours.


How to Prepare for LASIK and Other Refractive Surgery

  • Stop wearing contact lenses–your eye doctor will tell you how soon before surgery to wear glasses instead of contacts.
  • Understand the procedure–talk to your eye doctor about what to expect.
  • Arrange a ride–you won’t be able to drive home from the clinic, so coordinate with a friend or relative.
  • Arrive with a fresh, clean face–don’t apply eye makeup and avoid wearing heavy lotions or perfumes before the procedure.

smiling girl wearing glasses


What to Expect from the Treatment

girl with eye drops after lasik

  • The eye surgeon will apply numbing drops to your eye.
  • They will keep your eyes open with a device .
  • The eye surgeon will make a small flap in the surface of your cornea with a laser or microkeratome–a precision surgical instrument.
  • You will look directly at a light while the eye surgeon reshapes your cornea.
  • The surgeon will place the flap back in place so it can heal.

LASIK and Refractive Surgery After-Care

  • Apply eye drops as directed by your eye doctor.
  • Rest your eyes as much as possible in the ensuing days.
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes.
  • You may return to your regular activities including driving, after a few days.
  • Go to all post-operative eye examinations.
  • You may experience blurry vision after surgery. This should go away, but if it persists after several months, discuss it with your Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. eye doctor.

Lasik Refractive Surgery FAQs

Will I still need to wear glasses after LASIK?

The satisfaction rate is very high for post-LASIK and refractive surgery patients. That said, whether you’ll still need corrective eyewear after surgery depends on your eye condition, how well your cornea responded to surgery, and the healing process.

What are some eye problems that LASIK and refractive surgery can't correct?

LASIK and refractive surgery are specifically designed to correct refractive errors caused by an irregular shaped cornea. It can’t solve the following: 

  • Amblyopia–lazy eye
  • Cataracts–cloudy patch on the surface of the lens
  • Glaucoma–damage to the optic nerve caused by pressure inside the eye
  • Keratoconus–weak or thin cornea that bulges forward
Can LASIK or other refractive surgeries have negative effects?

No procedure is completely free of possible risks and complications and the same is true of LASIK and refractive surgery. Some of these include: 

  • Dry eye symptoms
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Flap problems including infection
  • Vision undercorrection or overcorrection 

If you experience any of these. Contact Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. right away.

Will I have to have LASIK and refractive surgery again?

Usually, LASIK or refractive surgery is successful the first time around. However, if the problem persists after the treatment, the eye surgeon may repeat the surgery.

Contact Metropolitan Optical – Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington today to learn more about LASIK and other refractive surgeries and to find out if you're a candidate.


Meet our Lasik Refractive Surgery Specialists

Patient Reviews
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172 Reviews
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- Mar. 28, 2025
I've been coming to Metropolitan Optical for many, many years and always received excellent service ... and advice. Dr. Ayalu is terrific!
- Mar. 24, 2025
Metropolitan Optical has been handling my eye care needs for almost 20 years. The best eye specialis... ts in the Washington, DC , Maryland and Virginia area. Please make appointment and you will understand why. Very prompt, courteous and knowledgeable staff.
- Mar. 08, 2025
Highly recommend Metropolitan Optical for anyone looking for an eye-doctor or new frames! It is evid... ent how Dr. Ayalew cares for her patients -- always making sure to squeeze us in because she prioritizes our health. She takes time to explain what's going on and makes sure to develop a care plan that is realistic. The rest of the team are just awesome -- from spending time to make sure that your frames fit and look perfect to making sure that you are scheduled for your next appoint
- Feb. 27, 2025
Have been coming here for over 3 years and it’s great! Wonderful and knowledgeable staff.
- Jan. 14, 2025
Dr Salsa Ayalew is great. She is very patient and clearly communicates what is going on during the ... exam and the appropriate next steps. Dee is also great with helping to select great frames and is responsive to style and pricing concerns.
- Jan. 03, 2025
High professionalism and courtesy.
- Oct. 20, 2024
Excellent care from Dr Saba and excellent customer service
- Oct. 18, 2024
Great place for my eye care! Very satisfied.
- Sep. 14, 2024
Top Tier service is always received at every level when I visit Metropolitan Optical!
- Sep. 13, 2024
Doctor and every staff are very friendly and good customers service, also they explain every step un... til you get discharge. Excellent
- Sep. 13, 2024
Dr. Ayalew and every staff member give the highest quality customer service.
- Aug. 30, 2024
Great professional optical services. I’ve purchased prescription glasses twice with Metropolitan ... in last year. Customer service is excellent. High quality and reasonably priced frames. Paul at the Penn Ave shop most recently helped me with selecting non-slip prescription glasses for working out. Very happy with them and the Lunor glasses purchased in 2023.
- Nov. 07, 2023
Dr. Ayalew is an exceptional eye doctor who goes above and beyond for her patients. I recently had a... n eye emergency on a Sunday night and emailed her, she replied st 5 am instructing me to come in first thing in the morning. I know she squeezed me in because I was unable to schedule the appointment online. Upon arriving I was literally greeted at the door and taken straight to the exam room. (I’m sure this isn’t always the case so I don’t want to build any unrealistic expectations, same goes for emailing on a Sunday night, but this was my experience today so I’m just sharing factual events) Dr. Ayalew thoroughly examined my eyes, patiently explaining the condition and answering all my questions. Her expertise and genuine concern for my well-being are always evident at my appointments. My insurance switched a few years ago and metropolitan optical doesn’t take my new insurance but Dr Ayalew is so good I go to her anyway and pay out of pocket, money speaks louder than words — this is greatest endorsement I could give any doctor. Over the past 25 years living in DC, I've consulted with several optometrists. Without a doubt, Dr. Ayalew stands out as the best in my opinion. Her combination of expertise, compassion, and patient-centric approach is unmatched. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking exceptional eye care
- Sep. 26, 2023
Love this place! Everyone is professional and has their masks on. They are able to repair my glasses... within 10 minutes. Will recommend this place to anyone in DC area.
- Sep. 23, 2023
I simply do not understand the negative comments about the staff. I will chalk it up to a bad day. H... ave been seeing Dr. Ayalew for nearly two decades. She is great and her staff is friendly and efficient.
- Sep. 20, 2023
Dr. Ayalew was great! Personable, professional, knowledgeable and very thorough.
- Sep. 18, 2023
Big fan of Dr. Ayalew. She is highly knowledgeable, takes the time to listen to my questions and con... cerns, and is always warm and friendly. Staff at the practice are also terrific.
- Jun. 26, 2023
I came to the office 15 minutes early and immediately taken care of. The staff was friendly and eff... icient. Once, I met with the doctor, she provided all relevant info and answered my questions. Very satisfied.
- Apr. 28, 2023
As a tourist from another country I stopped in this shop to have my daugther’s glasses fixed (she ... had lost a nose pad). They were super nice and fixed the issue on the spot. Thanks!
- Apr. 24, 2023
Dr. Ayalew and her entire staff are fantastic. I switched to her practice a few years ago when my p... revious doctor retired and have been incredibly happy ever since. She is thorough, thoughtful and very knowledgeable. I have an eye condition that requires regular monitoring and correction and she has helped me understand the challenges, solutions and what to expect as I age. Everyone in the office is knowledgeable, helpful and thorough too. In fact, I raved about how great my first experience was so much that my wife started going to her too. Now she won't go anywhere else either. Top notch!

View All 172 Reviews

LASIK & Refractive Surgery Co-Management in Washington

Our optometry practice in Washington

Photograph of Saba Ayalew
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Care First
  • Aetna
  • Davis Vision
  • VSP
  • EyeMed

eye closeup

Ready to see the world more clearly?

Say goodbye to blurred vision, once and for all

(202) 659-6555