Eye Surgeon Near Gaithersburg, Maryland

Washington Eye Institute is one of the few practices in the I-270 corridor offering both the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) and the Apthera IOL alongside femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. The Light Adjustable Lens is the only FDA-approved IOL that lets your surgeon fine-tune your prescription after surgery using UV light treatments, so the final result matches your visual goals rather than relying on pre-operative measurements alone. Dr. Michael Summerfield, Dr. Joseph Mekhail, a fellowship-trained cornea and refractive specialist, and Dr. Sarah Chang perform standard, laser-assisted, and complex refractive cataract procedures. Gaithersburg residents experiencing cloudy vision, glare at night, or fading colors can schedule a cataract evaluation at our Rockville office to discuss which lens option is the best fit.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve gradually and irreversibly, often without symptoms until significant vision has already been lost. Our screening protocol includes Goldmann tonometry, optical coherence tomography (OCT) nerve fiber layer analysis, and automated visual field testing to catch damage at its earliest stage. When treatment is needed, we offer the full range: prescription drops, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). MIGS procedures lower intraocular pressure through micro-incisions, typically with less discomfort and faster recovery than conventional glaucoma surgery, and can often be combined with cataract surgery in a single session. If you are a Gaithersburg resident over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, or have been told you have elevated eye pressure, a baseline screening at our Rockville office is an important step.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, yet it produces no symptoms in its early stages. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all diabetic patients receive a dilated eye exam at least once a year, and more frequently if retinopathy has already been detected. Washington Eye Institute provides medical retina care for the full spectrum of retinal disease, including diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, and retinal tears. We coordinate closely with primary care physicians and endocrinologists throughout Montgomery County so that your eye care stays aligned with your broader diabetes management plan.

Keratoconus thins and steepens the cornea over time, distorting vision in ways standard glasses cannot fully correct. It most commonly appears in the teens and twenties, making early detection critical. Washington Eye Institute offers corneal cross-linking, a procedure that uses riboflavin drops and UV light to strengthen collagen bonds in the cornea and stabilize progression. For patients who already have moderate to advanced keratoconus, Dr. Rajini Seevaratnam, OD, and Dr. Diana Chu, OD, fit specialty scleral contact lenses and hybrid contact lenses that vault over the irregular cornea to provide clear, comfortable vision. In cases requiring surgical intervention, Dr. Joseph Mekhail performs corneal transplantation. This combination of medical, optical, and surgical options in one practice means Gaithersburg patients with keratoconus do not need multiple referrals to manage their condition.

Chronic dry eye affects millions of Americans, and in many cases the root cause is meibomian gland dysfunction rather than low tear volume. Standard artificial tears treat the symptom but not the source. Washington Eye Institute takes a diagnostic-first approach, identifying whether your dry eye stems from gland blockage, aqueous deficiency, or inflammatory ocular surface disease. Treatment options at our Rockville office include prescription anti-inflammatory drops, punctal plugs to help retain natural tears, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. IPL delivers targeted light pulses to the skin around the eyelids, reducing inflammation and helping improve function in blocked meibomian glands over a series of in-office sessions. Not every dry eye practice in Montgomery County offers IPL, and it can be a meaningful option for patients who have not responded well to drops alone.

Patients with high myopia (typically prescriptions stronger than -6.00) or thin corneas are often told they are not candidates for LASIK. The Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is an alternative that corrects vision by placing a biocompatible lens behind the iris, without removing any corneal tissue. Unlike LASIK, the ICL is reversible and does not cause dry eye from corneal nerve disruption. Dr. Summerfield evaluates ICL candidates at our Rockville office and performs the procedure on an outpatient basis with rapid visual recovery. For Gaithersburg residents who have been told refractive surgery is not an option for them, an ICL consultation is worth exploring.

A comprehensive eye exam does more than update your glasses prescription. At Washington Eye Institute, every exam includes dilated fundus evaluation, retinal imaging with OCT, tonometry, and a thorough assessment of ocular health to screen for conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease before symptoms develop. Dr. Diana Chu, OD, named Maryland's 2025 Young Optometrist of the Year, and Dr. Rajini Seevaratnam, OD, evaluate patients of all ages, including children who should receive their first comprehensive eye exam by age six. For Gaithersburg families establishing care or keeping up with annual exams, our Rockville office accepts most major insurance plans and offers convenient scheduling through our online appointment request system.

Our Rockville office is the closest WEI location for Gaithersburg residents, located about 10 minutes south via I-270. The office is near the Shady Grove Road exit and has free parking for all patients.

We accept most major Maryland insurance plans including PPO and HMO options. Call our Rockville office with your insurance details and our team will verify your coverage before your appointment.