LASIK & Refractive Surgery Co-Management in Washington

LASIK & Refractive Surgery Co-Management in Washington

Vision Correction You Can Count On

(202) 467-5555

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 – 18th Street 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 – 18th Street 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 – 18th Street 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 – 18th Street 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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171 Reviews
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- Apr. 02, 2025
The people at Metropolitan Optical, especially Mr. Paul Allen, are so welcoming, kind, and knowledge... able. I have spent four years living in D.C. while studying at university, and have always had difficulties with my glasses fitting properly given my complex lenses. I likely visited their office nearly two dozen times throughout my time in college, and was always assisted and treated with patience. If you are looking for an optometry office in the District, Metropolitan Optical should be your first choice!
- Mar. 12, 2025
Great! Experience. =D Once i walked in i was greeted, Signing papers are the old age because they ha... ve a tablet to sign and mention any medical issues or past records you may have. (Paperless) Stephanie is so kind and sweet, the machines they have, gave them perfect details of my eye. (Keep up the good work) DR. Stupiansky , showed me a detail picture of my eye and explained what I have... she is nice and polite. Can't forget about Paul , he help me pick a perfect titanium frame that suite me well. ( how he knew I like titanium..) Overall I recommend coming here for an eye exam and or frames . ( can bring in your own frames too, optional)
- Mar. 10, 2025
Best expertise in prescribing eyeglasses in the area! Highly recommend!
- Feb. 19, 2025
Each and every person I interacted with was utmost pleasant and professional. Could not have asked f... or a better customer service experience.
- Jan. 11, 2025
Everyone from the staff to Dr. Stupiansky was nice and knowledgeable. The doctor took her time with ... me and made me feel comfortable and like I was in good hands. Definitely would recommend metropolitan optical!
- Oct. 30, 2024
Had an excellent experience overall. The service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was welcoming and... friendly. Dr. Pavl is incredibly kind and compassionate, making the visit comfortable and pleasant. Highly recommend!
- Sep. 06, 2024
I would give more than five stars if I could - highly recommend to anyone looking for comprehensive ... eye care in the DMV area! The entire team is so friendly and knowledgeable. As a new patient, Lucinda immediately made me feel welcome throughout the intake process. When my previous eye doctor no longer accepted my insurance, I was worried it would be difficult to find comparable care, but Dr. Stupiansky is even better! She gave a great exam, taking the time to answer all of my questions and going above and beyond to recommend exercises to help alleviate my eye strain. HUGE shout out to Jesse and Corey, who were both so helpful and patient with me as I returned several times to adjust my new glasses to fit me just right. The service, warm environment, and glasses selection are all around stellar. Thank you to the whole team at Metropolitan Optical!
- Aug. 31, 2024
Corey is an amazing worker. I’d give the staff, the service and the place itself 5 stars all aroun... d the board. Keep being great.
- Aug. 29, 2024
Friendly staff, friendly knowledgeable doctors! Call me a windmill, ‘cause I’m a big fan.
- Jul. 19, 2024
Great care, great products and super service. Expensive as are most high quality optical stores but ... I have been a patient of Dr. Ayalew and Metropolitan for over 25 years!
- Jul. 12, 2024
I'v been to multiple optical shops lately looking for new glasses. Metropolitan was the most helpfu... l of any place I looked.
- Jun. 27, 2024
Great care. Cool doctor. Easy fast experience.
- Jun. 15, 2024
Best eye doctor I’ve ever been to. Dr. Stupiansky and Lucinda went out of their way to help me whe... n I had an issue — taking the extra time to figure out what exams I needed so I wasn’t over-paying and spending extra time with me to resolve my eye issue. When I needed an urgent follow-up with a specialist and was not able to secure an appointment myself, Dr. Stupiansky took the time to call the specialist to get me in that week itself. Cannot recommend Metropolitan Optical enough.
- May. 10, 2024
The staff here are so welcoming and knowledgeable. They made the entire experience, from the exam to... picking out new glasses, a total breeze. Will absolutely come back, can't recommend them more highly.
- May. 10, 2024
Review Title: Superior Care and Exceptional Service at Metropolitan Optical I have recently had the... pleasure of visiting Metropolitan Optical with my mother for her comprehensive eye examination, under the care of Dr. Saba Ayalew. I must say that the level of service and care we received was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we stepped into her office, Dr. Ayalew was kind, approachable, and demonstrated an extensive knowledge of her field. She was incredibly patient, taking the time to explain every step of the examination process, ensuring that my mother felt comfortable and understood everything that was happening. What particularly amazed me about Dr. Ayalew was her attention to detail. She did not rush the examination, instead, she carefully evaluated my mother's vision and thoroughly discussed the results and potential treatment options. It was evident that she genuinely cared about her patients' well-being and prioritizes their eye health. Aside from Dr. Ayalew's expertise, the other staff at Metropolitan Optical were equally impressive. They were friendly, efficient, and very helpful. They assisted us with insurance matters and guided us through the selection of eyewear, making the whole experience seamless and pleasant. The cleanliness and organization of the office itself also deserve a mention. It is well-maintained, modern, and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. We found the overall environment both welcoming and professional. I am truly grateful for the personalized care and attention my mother received from Dr. Ayalew. Her professionalism, coupled with her warm and empathetic nature, made our visit a positive one. I would highly recommend Dr. Ayalew and Metropolitan Optical to anyone in search of top-notch eye care. In a world where the medical process can often feel rushed and impersonal, Dr. Ayalew stands out as a beacon of what patient-focused healthcare should be. Rest assured, your eyes are in the best hands with her!
- Apr. 26, 2024
I’ve been going here for more than 15 years. This place is great. Staff are friendly and profess... ional. The office is clean and there is a vast selection of eyeglass frames. Dr. Ayalew is amazing and really thorough. She asks questions related to any new health problems and explains how they could impact eye health. She’s really great.
- Apr. 23, 2024
Visited 4/19/2024. Friendly staff, knowledgeable and caring optometrist and a nice selection of fram... es to choose from. Looking forward to returning for all my eye care needs.
- Mar. 27, 2024
On Tuesday, March 26th, 2024, I had my first occasion to visit Metropolitan Optical at the 18th Stre... et location. From the moment I entered, I was greeted warmly. The technician, Ms.Lucinda, had such a pleasing, sunny personality as she prepared me for Dr. Ayalew. Dr. Ayalew continued this trend by offering exceptional eye care that addressed my concerns. But the STAR of the day was Mr. Corey Styles! I am a fashionable woman in my own way, and wanted my new glasses to reflect that. After perusing several styles but not really finding something that wowed me, Mr. Corey, who was assisting me, informed me he would be right back. When he returned several minutes later, he offered me a selection of frames from Metropolitan Optical’s Pennsylvania Avenue location. OMG!!! The selection was out of this world fantabulous and I found the perfect pair that checked all the boxes and then some! What awesome, exceptional Customer Service!! First time in my mature life had I experienced that level of going the extra mile to please a most discriminating customer. I’m not one to write a lot on social media but I just had to share the extraordinary care and service I received from everyone at Metropolitan Optional, especially my dear Mr. Corey Styles. I am a fan4life! Mary H. Beckett, D.C.
- Mar. 08, 2024
Thank you to Paul the miracle worker. I had accidentally stomped on my glasses and it was a near Hum... ty Dumpty situation. Fortunately Paul bent everything back into place.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Amazing experience at Metropolitan Optical. So happy with my new prescription!

View All 171 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
  • EyeMed
  • VSP

eye closeup

Ready to see the world more clearly?

Say goodbye to blurred vision, once and for all

(202) 467-5555