“I feel like I'm seeing in HD, and I'm so grateful.”
Patricia Shank
LASIK Technology
The Technology Behind Your LASIK Procedure
Modern LASIK eye surgery relies on two precise instruments working together to correct your vision. At NewView Eye Center in Northern Virginia, we use well-maintained equipment designed to deliver precise, personalized results for each patient.
Your procedure combines a modern Moria microkeratome, which creates the thin corneal flap, with an excimer laser, which reshapes the cornea underneath. Understanding what each one does can help you feel more prepared and confident before your procedure.
Laser Vision Correction Options
Not every eye responds identically to LASIK. Explore the technologies and approaches we use and the alternatives available when LASIK isn't the right fit for your anatomy or vision goals.
How the Excimer Laser Works
01
Reshaping the Cornea
Removes microscopic layers of corneal tissue to change how your eye focuses light: flattening the cornea for nearsightedness, steepening it for farsightedness, and smoothing it for astigmatism.
02
Cool-Beam Safety
Through a process called photoablation, the laser breaks molecular bonds without generating significant heat, protecting surrounding tissue and reducing the risk of scarring.
03
Wavefront Customization
Wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized treatments use detailed diagnostic scans to map subtle optical imperfections, creating a correction tailored to your unique eyes.
04
Broad Range of Correction
Addresses nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism across a wide range of prescriptions, depending on your corneal thickness and overall eye health.
05
Real-Time Eye Tracking
Sophisticated tracking systems monitor your eye position hundreds of times per second, pausing automatically if your eye shifts so every pulse lands exactly where intended.
See LASIK at NewView
Video 1
LASIK at NewView Eye Center
Video 2
LASIK patient experience
Video 3
LASIK surgery overview
Creating the
Corneal Flap
Lifting the corneal flap is one of the most delicate steps in LASIK. At NewView your flap is created with a modern Moria microkeratome, a precision instrument that raises a thin, hinged layer of cornea so the excimer laser can reshape the tissue underneath.
Your LASIK Procedure, Step by Step
Knowing what to expect during your procedure can ease anxiety and help you prepare. From the first measurements to the final check of your eyes, every step is designed with your comfort and safety in mind.
01
Pre-Procedure Testing
Corneal topography, pachymetry, wavefront analysis, and refraction testing gather everything needed to plan your flap and program the excimer laser precisely for your eyes.
02
Corneal Flap Creation
Numbing drops keep you comfortable while your surgeon uses the microkeratome to create the corneal flap. This step takes only seconds, and you may feel light pressure but no pain.
03
Excimer Vision Correction
The flap is gently lifted and the excimer laser reshapes your cornea while you focus on a target light, typically 5 to 30 seconds per eye, guided by real-time eye tracking.
04
What You'll Experience
Expect gentle pressure, a brief dimming of vision, and soft clicking sounds. Your vision will be blurry at first and usually begins clearing within a few hours.
Healing and Follow-Up After LASIK
Recovery from LASIK is typically smooth and fast. Knowing what to expect in the days and weeks after your procedure helps you protect your results.
Your vision will be blurry and your eyes may feel scratchy, though many patients notice meaningful improvement within hours. Rest your eyes, avoid rubbing them, use your prescribed drops exactly as directed, and wear the protective shields while sleeping. Most people return to routine activities within one to two days.
A well-planned flap and cool-beam excimer technology support a stable recovery, with functional vision often returning within a day and near-final results developing over the following weeks. We schedule follow-ups at 24 to 48 hours, one week, one month, and three to six months to track your healing and confirm your results.
Complications after modern LASIK are rare, but contact us right away if you have sharp or severe eye pain, a sudden decrease or loss of vision, increasing redness, discharge, or swelling, or new flashing lights or floaters. Don't wait for your next scheduled appointment.
Choosing the Right Technology for Your Eyes
Not every eye responds identically to LASIK. Your surgeon weighs factors like corneal thickness and shape, your prescription and vision goals, and your overall eye health to recommend the safest, best-matched approach and to be honest when an alternative such as PRK, surface ablation, or a lens-based procedure is the better choice.
Is LASIK Right for You?
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the technology behind LASIK at NewView Eye Center.
Your flap is created with a modern Moria microkeratome, a precision instrument with a long record of use in refractive surgery. Some practices use a femtosecond laser for this step instead. Both methods are well established, both are widely used, and both can produce excellent results in experienced hands. Your surgeon will explain exactly how your flap will be created at your consultation, and you should feel free to ask.
Multiple manufacturers make FDA-approved excimer lasers and flap-creation instruments, and there are technical differences between platforms. In practice, most modern systems deliver comparable safety and effectiveness when used correctly. Your candidacy screening, your surgeon's experience, and your individual healing response tend to matter more than the specific brand of equipment.
Absolutely. You should feel comfortable asking exactly which laser and instruments will be used and why they are appropriate for your eyes. A reputable practice will explain its equipment clearly and welcome your questions, so you can make the most informed decision about where to have your procedure performed.
Reputable providers maintain their equipment according to manufacturer guidelines and regulatory standards, including regular servicing and calibration. You can ask how often the equipment is serviced and whether software updates are kept current. Well-maintained systems, even those a few years old, continue to perform at a high level.
Modern LASIK equipment is built with multiple safety systems and automatic shutoffs. If anything unexpectedly stops working, your surgeon will immediately halt treatment and ensure your eye is protected. Depending on the stage of the procedure, treatment can often be completed or safely rescheduled, and your surgeon will explain the best path forward.
Being told you are not a candidate for LASIK does not mean you are out of options. Procedures such as PRK, EpiLase surface ablation, refractive lens exchange, or implantable collamer lenses (ICL) may be well-suited to patients who don't qualify due to thin corneas, high prescriptions, or certain corneal irregularities. Your surgeon can recommend the safest, most effective alternative for your eyes.
Ready to see Clearly Again?
Hear From Their Experience
“I still have 20/20 vision, and this was like a miracle to me in my life.”
Dr. Renee Yingling
“They were able to keep the monovision, and I am absolutely thrilled.”
Carol
Our Clinic Locations
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Saturday: Closed
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Tuesday: 8:30AM-5PM
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Thursday: 8:30AM-5PM
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Saturday: Closed
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Sunday: Closed
Monday: 8:30AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Thursday: 8:30AM-5PM
Friday: 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
Monday: 8:30AM-5PM
Tuesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Wednesday: 8:30AM-5PM
Thursday: 8:30AM-5PM
Friday: 8:30AM-5PM
Saturday: Closed
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