Refractive Surgery

Meeting with a Wilmer Eye Institute refractive surgeon is the next step to determine if you are an excellent candidate for refractive surgery. At your consultation the surgeon will meet with you and perform testing to determine which procedure is best and safest for you. You can then schedule your refractive surgery at the Green Spring Station. The refractive surgeon will then ensure that you are healing well post operatively and completely satisfied with your visual outcome. We look forward to taking care of you.

Please contact Rebecca Scarborough to schedule your consultation:

410-583-2843 or [email protected] and 410-583-2873 or [email protected]

Schedule an Evaluation

Providers by Location

Note: All refractive surgery is performed at Green Spring Station

The Johns Hopkins Hospital

  • Isa Sayyeed Karim Mohammed, MD

    • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

  • Nakul Shekhawat, MD MPH

    • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

  • Uri Soiberman, MD

    • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

  • Ashley Behrens, MD

    • Chief, Division of Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases, Comprehensive Ophthalmology

  • Irene C. Kuo, MD

    • Clinic Director, Wilmer Eye Institute - White Marsh
    • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

  • Everardo Hernandez-Quintela, MD MSC

    • Medical Director - Patient Access Center for the Eye
    • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases, Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Wilmer - Columbia

Yassine Daoud, MD

  • Chair of Ophthalmology. Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
  • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

Wilmer - Green Spring Station - Lutherville

  • Isa Sayyeed Karim Mohammed, MD

    • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

  • Uri Soiberman, MD

    • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

  • Ashley Behrens, MD

    • Chief, Division of Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases, Comprehensive Ophthalmology

  • Everardo Hernandez-Quintela, MD MSC

    • Medical Director - Patient Access Center for the Eye
    • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

    Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases, Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Wilmer - White Marsh

Irene C. Kuo, MD

  • Clinic Director, Wilmer Eye Institute - White Marsh
  • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

Expertise: Cornea and External Diseases

Available Laser Vision Correction Surgeries

LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) - a thin flap is created with a laser in the top layer of the cornea and the underlying tissue is reshaped by another laser. Visual recovery and healing is rapid.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) - Instead of creating and lifting a small flap for the treatment, the outer layer of the cornea is gently removed and the underlying tissue is reshaped by the laser. The outer layer naturally regrows in approximately three to five days. Visual outcomes are excellent, however visual recovery is slower.

KLEx (Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction) - Coming Soon. The latest, least invasive procedure in laser vision correction. A thin, contact lens shaped layer just beneath the surface of the eye is created and removed through a small incision in the cornea. Visual recovery is quick, but typically slower than LASIK.

Available Intraocular Refractive Surgeries:

Some patients may not be a candidate for a laser vision correction procedure, however fortunately there are excellent alternatives.

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) - Insertion of a contact-like lens behind the colored part of the eye (iris). This can be used to correct high amount of nearsightedness and astigmatism with great visual outcomes. Visual recovery is quick, but typically slightly slower than LASIK.

RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) - Replacement of the natural lens in the eye with an intraocular lens, similar to cataract surgery.

  • Typically for people with presbyopia or hyperopia, for whom LASIK, PRK or ICL surgery generally are not suitable
  • Lens replacement surgery can also correct myopia, but generally it is not recommended for high myopes under the age of 50 due to the loss of accommodation and when LASIK, PRK, SMILE or ICL surgery are recommended

Enhancements:

For all patients who undergo refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institutes, enhancements are included for up to 1 year from the initial surgery.

Before & After Surgery:

Before Surgery:

Your consultation will begin with one of our refractive surgery technicians who will review your medical history, check your refraction, and attain measurements of your cornea. You will then meet your surgeon who will examine your eyes and discuss what options are best for you. The evaluation lasts 1-2 hours and includes a complete dilated eye exam. You can then meet with the refractive surgery coordinator to schedule your surgery. As a reminder, do not wear your contacts lens for at least three days prior to your consultation (2 weeks for toric or extended wear lenses, and 1 month for every decade worn for hard lenses).

On the day of surgery, eat a light meal before coming and bring all your prescribed medications. Do not wear eye makeup or have bulky accessories in your hair that will interfere with you lying flat.

After surgery:

The Wilmer Eye Institute refractive surgeon who performs your procedure will examine you at your post operative visit to ensure that you are healing well. To ensure that you have an excellent outcome, plan on attending three post-operative visits – one day or one week (depending on the procedure), one month, and three months after surgery. The cost of these visits is included in your surgical fee.

What can I expect after refractive surgery?

You can expect that your vision may be blurry or hazy for the first day. You may experience mild discomfort or light sensitivity for the first several hours after LASIK or KLEx, and for the first several days after PRK. Your vision may fluctuate between blurry and clear for the first few weeks. The eye drops prescribed by your doctor will help with healing and dryness, although they may burn or temporarily blur your vision.

What restrictions will I have after refractive surgery?

It takes a few weeks for your eye to stabilize after refractive surgery. It is important that you follow the following guidelines to allow for an excellent recovery:

  • Do not rub your eyes. Wear the goggles provided while you sleep for the first week.
  • Do not shower until the next morning after your surgery.
  • Avoid eye makeup and tap water for the first week after surgery, and hair coloring, swimming pools, hot tubs, etc. for the first 2 weeks after surgery.
  • Do not exercise for two days. When you resume sport activities, wear eye protection for one month. Wear sunglasses with UV protection when you go out in the sun for at least the first three months, especially if you had PRK.

Most importantly, enjoy your new vision and freedom from glasses and contact lenses! Enjoy waking up and seeing the clock, exercising without contact lenses, and living life to the fullest clearly and without limitation.

FAQs about Refractive Surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute