LASIK Eye Surgery

Life without the hassle and worry of glasses and contact lenses begins at Envue Eye and Laser Center located at the National Harbor in the Washington D.C. metro area. Vision correction is the best investment you can make in yourself. We’re here to answer your questions on LASIK eye surgery and the right option for you. Providing LASIK to Alexandria, Washington D.C. and the surrounding metro area, we believe an informed patient makes the best decisions.

Young couple taking a selfie on a hike. Highlights freedom from glasses and contact lenses with LASIK when outdoors.

Top reasons to choose LASIK eye surgery at Envue 

1.  Experience counts. Dr. Rivers is a military-trained refractive surgeon.  He retired after a 30-year-military career as an Army Colonel and the Director of the War Fighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program and Research Center at Fort Belvoir, VA.  He is a renowned surgeon, researcher, author of numerous articles on LASIK, and an in-demand frequent speaker at international ophthalmology conferences.

2.  There is no charge for your LASIK consultation. At your consultation, you will meet with Dr. Rivers to discuss your personalized vision plan taking into account not only your eye health but also your goals and lifestyle.  You will undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination and a vision plan tailored specifically for you.  If we determine that you are not a LASIK candidate, you may be eligible for other vision correction options. 

3.  Envue’s LASIK pricing is all-inclusive. With upfront pricing, there are no additional charges – not even for astigmatism, high prescriptions, or enhancements. 

4.  Your Envue LASIK procedure is $2500 per eye and we offer 24-months interest-free financing. 

5. The most important thing is to ensure you are a good candidate for LASIK. Book a consult now!

6.  Envue offers genetic testing to identify the risk or presence of keratoconus and other corneal genetic disorders caused by gene variants.

7. Your comfort and exceptional vision correction results are our main focus. We love making people happy.  

Are you searching for LASIK Eye Surgery Near You?

How is LASIK eye surgery different at Envue? 

Many LASIK eye surgery centers focus on getting a high daily volume of patients in the door. At Envue, we focus on the patient. LASIK may not be the best option for everyone. Your safety is our priority. We never compromise on the treatment that’s best for you. We’ll map out the best vision correction options for you using the most advanced diagnostics and technology. With his years of surgical experience and research in the latest vision correction advancements, Dr. Rivers ensures that each patient receives personalized care to optimize their outcomes. 

LASIK eye surgery laser

Can I get LASIK eye surgery if I’m nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism?

We often hear patients say, “I would get LASIK, but I have astigmatism” or “I’m too far sighted” or “I’m too nearsighted.” You can finally get rid of these vision conditions in minutes with LASIK. All these conditions – myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism can be corrected with LASIK at Envue. After the procedure, you will see a change immediately. Get ready for better vision and say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses. 

What is the cost of LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK eye surgery usually costs between $2000 – $4000 per eye in Washington DC, Alexandria and DC Metro area, which is less than what the average person spends in a lifetime on glasses, exams, and contact lenses and solutions. This does not include non-monetary costs, such as time spent on finding lost glasses, worrying if you have an adequate supply of contact lenses, or modifying your life to deal with infections related to contact lens use. Don’t lease your vision with glasses and contact lenses. Own your vision with LASIK at Envue. Use the Envue Vision Calculator to decide for yourself. Financing options are available. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How safe is LASIK?

LASIK is among the safest and most studied vision correction procedures. It has the highest patient satisfaction rate of any elective surgery. LASIK can prevent the risk of infections from wearing contact lenses and possible vision loss with misuse of contact lenses.

Does LASIK hurt?

No. We will take the time to make you comfortable and ensure that you receive the safest care for your LASIK at Envue.

How long does LASIK take?

The procedure itself generally takes 10 to 15 minutes per eye, depending on your vision correction needs.

What if I blink during LASIK?

Although this is among the top concerns from LASIK patients, rest assured that the Envue laser technology adapts to the body’s natural movements. Your safety is always the priority. The laser is programmed to track eye movement and will automatically pause for any sudden movement.

What is recovery like after LASIK?

Recovery after LASIK is quick. Although you will be able to see immediately after LASIK, your vision will be blurry during the initial recovery period. Your vision will continue to progress each day. We recommend that patients rest after surgery. Keeping your eyelids completely closed during sleep helps prevent dry eye and helps with the healing process. You may feel some discomfort during your recovery which usually lasts about 4-6 hours after the surgery. Some patients describe the sensation as having a grain of sand in the eye. Using the eye drops we provide will help with this. You will not be able to drive yourself home and must have a friend or family member with you.

When can I resume normal activities after LASIK?

Generally, we recommend that patients, at a minimum, take the following workday off after their procedure. Typically, a patient’s vision correction allows them to drive the very next day for their follow-up appointment at Envue. Depending on your comfort level and job requirements, we may recommend a longer recovery period. You can resume many of your normal activities within a day or two after LASIK.

What should I avoid doing after LASIK?

It is important to avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise immediately after LASIK. We recommend you avoid rubbing your eye. It is safe to shower but avoid getting water directly into your eyes.

Do LASIK results wear off?

No. However, whether you’ve had LASIK or not, vision change is a natural part of the aging process. Around age 42, seeing things up close will get difficult (presbyopia) for everyone. We factor in your age when determining which vision correction option – besides LASIK – is best for you.

Can anyone without perfect vision get LASIK?

LASIK can be excellent vision correction procedure for the following patient populations: those who are at least 18 years old with a stable prescription; those with a healthy cornea; and those with nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, or astigmatism. We make the time to tailor a vision correction plan that is best for your needs because every patient is different.

If I don’t qualify for LASIK what are my other options?

If our comprehensive diagnostics reveal that you cannot safely get LASIK, you have several options that will work for you. We can tell you more about other vision correction procedures such as SMILE, PRK, ICL, or Refractive Lens Exchange during your consultation. If no correction procedure is right for you, we may recommend a vision care plan as a guide to maintaining your vision health.

Is LASIK more affordable than contacts and glasses?

Yes. Use the Envue Vision Calculator to see how affordable it really is. By the time most people get LASIK, they’ve already spent more money on glasses, contacts lenses, exam costs, and treatments for eye infections than the one-time cost of LASIK. Breaking the dependence on glasses and contact lenses may improve your quality of life.

Does insurance cover LASIK?

No. However, as part of the Envue consultation process we provide you with upfront costs and financing options to invest in your vision correction – including interest free financing. If your employer offers a health or flexible spending account, this could be an option to manage the cost of your LASIK investment.

Who should not have LASIK?

If you are pregnant or currently nursing, you should not have LASIK. It is recommended to wait to have LASIK until you’ve completed nursing for at least three to six months. Vision can fluctuate during this time period. Waiting allows your eyes time to adjust and go back to normal. Hormonal therapies may also prevent you from being a LASIK candidate. However, the Envue team can provide you with other possible vison correction options.

Woman smiling on city street

LASIK Eye Surgery in Alexandria and DC Metro Area

At Envue, the focus is on you. As part of your premier customized patient experience, you’ll find from your first contact with Envue, to your consultation and vision correction procedure with Dr. Rivers, and your follow-up care, we take the time to listen to and answer your vision correction concerns. We want you to entrust us with your care. Find out what other patients say about their experience with Dr. Rivers and the Envue team.

Content Reviewed and Approved by Dr. Rivers.

Dr. Bruce Rivers is a military-trained ophthalmologist and one of the foremost experts in the field of laser vision correction surgery. He began his ophthalmology career as an eye technician and medic in the U.S. Navy and later obtained his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine on an Army scholarship.

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