LASIK | SMILE | PRK

You have likely heard of LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), which is a laser vision correction or refractive surgery procedure that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. This life changing procedure reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser. The laser is used to cut a flap in the cornea, then pulses from the laser penetrate and evaporate a portion of the stroma and the flap is put back into place leaving the patient’s refractive error corrected. Patients may notice a significant improvement in their vision soon after surgery and most patients return to their typical routine only one day after LASIK, with little disruption to daily life. More than 90 percent of people who have LASIK achieve somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision without glasses or contact lenses.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is the latest in laser vision correction for myopia or nearsightedness. As of August 2023, there have been 8 million SMILE procedures performed worldwide. This procedure uses a femtosecond laser to make a small lens shape of tissue in the cornea called a lenticule. The surgeon will extract the lenticule through a small arc-shaped incision. By removing the tiny lenticule, the shape of the cornea is altered to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. The corneal incision heals within a couple of days without stitches, allowing the patient’s vision to restore quickly.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a laser procedure where the excimer laser is used precisely to reshape the cornea without creating a corneal flap. PRK may be safer for some people including those with thin or irregular corneal tissue or those who are high risk for eye injury. The technique involves gently removing the outermost layer of the cornea, which will require 5-7 days of healing. The excimer treatment is performed on the surface of the cornea and a bandage contact lens is placed to facilitate the regrowth of corneal epithelium. Because there is no flap, the structural integrity of the cornea is maintained. This form of correction is required for some military professionals and some departments of law enforcement.

PRK is the best option for those with thin corneas. LASIK works for many people, but it may not be the best solution for everyone. As a result, more forms of laser vision correction have been developed, like the SMILE procedure which continues to change lives and improve the vision of thousands of people every day.

Research has shown that the SMILE procedure produces virtually the same visual results as LASIK for the correction of nearsightedness, without the need for the surgeon to create a LASIK-style corneal flap.

Studies have also shown that there may be less risk of dry eye symptoms after SMILE, compared to LASIK. SMILE does not require a large corneal flap like LASIK which results in fewer corneal nerves affected by the procedure. This may be why there is less risk of dry eyes after SMILE vs. LASIK.

The very small SMILE incision may also enable the cornea to maintain more of its strength and resistance to injuries of the eye following the procedure, compared to LASIK.

Further research states SMILE may correct high amounts of nearsightedness than LASIK, with less risk of needing an enhancement procedure to attain a perfect correction.

At Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center, we want our patients to achieve the best vision possible. Laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, SMILE and PRK are considered elective procedures and are not covered by insurance; however, it may be tax deductible depending on your filing status. In addition, many patients choose to pay for their procedure using their tax refund. We offer several payment options to suit your needs:

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): You can save up to 30% by using tax-free dollars to pay for your laser vision correction surgery. Many employers and banks offer an FSA or Health Savings Account.
• Financing: Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center is pleased to offer affordable deferred interest and extended payment plans. Click here to learn more about CareCredit.
• Credit Cards: Many patients opt to pay for their procedure using a personal credit card. This may be a good option, especially if you have a card that carries a low interest rate or offers points and other rewards.

Our staff will be happy to review the best financing options for you. Please contact us today at 410-571-8733 with any questions.

At Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center, we customize your laser vision correction procedure based on your specific vision needs and desired outcomes.

Provider Experience

Dr. Olivia Dryjski is a board-certified ophthalmologist at Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center. Specializing in refractive surgery, laser cataract surgery, dry eye and cornea, Dr. Dryjski is trained on the latest techniques and treatments for cornea diseases including corneal cross linking and Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) – the newest type of corneal transplant. Read more about Dr. Dryjski.

Dr. Daliya Dzhaber is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist at Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center who specializes in cataract (including laser cataract surgery), cornea and refractive surgery, as well as uveitis and medical retina. Read more about Dr. Dzhaber.

Dr. Mark Whitten is a board-certified cataract and refractive surgeon. In addition to performing surgeries at Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center, Dr. Whitten is also the Medical Director of Whitten Laser Eye and Founding Partner of Vision Innovation Partners. Dr. Whitten is the most experienced LASIK surgeon in the Mid-Atlantic Region, with more than 40 years of ophthalmology experience in the Washington D.C. and Richmond, VA areas. He has performed over 400,000 laser vision correction procedures and earned a national reputation for excellence in eye care. Read more about Dr. Whitten.

Named Best of Annapolis for Cosmetic Laser Eye Treatment by What's Up Annapolis!

How long does each procedure take?

The actual procedures are very quick! With LASIK, the laser time for each eye is only about 15 seconds, and your time in the laser suite will generally be under 15-30 minutes. The SMILE procedure takes about 10-15 minutes or less with the actual laser time being about 30 seconds. The PRK procedure takes about 5-10 minutes per eye. Our providers and staff spend the most time upfront analyzing your vision testing results and planning the best treatment for your customized laser vision correction procedure.

Do laser vision correction procedures hurt?

Prior to your procedure, we will administer anesthetic drops to numb the eye. Most patients say there is no pain during the procedure, but some report feeling mild pressure or vibration. You may feel a slight irritation for a few hours after. We recommend that you take a short nap and rest your eyes. For LASIK and SMILE, the majority of patients are back to their normal activities the following day. PRK patients typically require 5-7 days of recovery time.

What are the age requirements for these procedures?

A good candidate for LASIK or PRK is at least 21 years old with a stable prescription for at least one year. While the approved treatment range for a SMILE patient is 22 years old and older.

How long does laser vision correction surgery last?

A recent survey of patients who had LASIK beginning in 1995 showed that the majority believed that LASIK improved their overall quality of life and would recommend the procedure to others. The overall results of your procedure can last a lifetime! Your chances of needing an enhancement are greatly reduced when you choose a skilled surgeon with extensive experience like the providers at Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center. There is no charge for any enhancements needed during your first year.

What is Monovision?

Monovision is helpful for patients who wish to maintain their ability to read without glasses after experiencing presbyopia (the need for reading glasses as you age). In order to achieve Monovision, your doctor may decide to leave one eye slightly nearsighted while fully treating your other eye for distance vision. Monovision engages both eyes to work together as the brain naturally selects the clearer vision option. Monovision allows for the change in range of focus without the worry of contacts or glasses. There is often an adjustment period for patients who select Monovision while others adjust almost immediately. Your doctor may have you practice prior to surgery by using contact lenses to simulate monovision in order to see how you adjust. Because Monovision is a LASIK compromise, a patient may have to sacrifice some sharpness in distance vision and it is important to remember that while Monovision is beneficial for most near vision tasks, it is not always suitable for up close and fine print reading for long periods of time, and is unsuitable for people who play sports or who drive frequently at night.

Any of these revolutionary vision correction procedures could be right for you. At Chesapeake Eye Care and Laser Center, our doctors and staff will thoroughly assess the best laser vision correction procedure for you and your eyes. The best way to determine if you are a candidate is to schedule your FREE laser vision correction evaluation. Call us today at 410-571-8733 or click below to schedule. We look forward to restoring your vision and helping you live your best life possible!