Q: hello, i am doing a science fair project on eye sight and i was wondering how far away from the eye chart (in distance like feet etc) must you be to begin testing your eye sight? thank you
sincerely,
Jessica Nielsen

A: The usual

A: The usual testing distance is 20 feet (or 6 meters in metric countries).
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dr. Caster,
Are there any disadvantages to having the Customvue Lasik procedure over the traditional Lasik? I recently went to 2 different information sessions and one gave me the ¿Why wouldn¿t we give our patients the most up-to-date technology¿ spiel and one gave me the ¿We wouldn¿t feel ethical charging you for something you don¿t need¿ argument. I don¿t mind paying a little more to ensure the best for my eyes. My pupil size is 7.5 and my vision is ¿2.25. Thanks!

A: Custom Vue is a little better, particularly regarding vision in lower light.
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I had radial keratotomy about 10 years ago. My distance and near vision have deteriorated to the point that I wonder if I am a candidate for Lasik now. Is it possible to do Lasik once I've had RK?

A: Yes.
Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  I just had the LASIK. The doctor told me to use an eye drop called B.S.S. for the next 3 months. What is it? Can I stop using it after a month?

A: BSS is a salt solution. Other artificial tear solutions may be even better.
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I just had an eye exam at a local lasik plus office. I was surprised to find out that I have a large pupil (7 for one eye.7.2 for the other); and my cornea thickness is less than ideal which is less than 540mm. Mine is 527mm for both eyes (also unusual).
My prescription strength is 5.25 for both eyes. My eyes are healthy. No issues on the texture of my front and back cornea. And I am 40 years old.

Should I still go for LASIK surgery? Unfortunately, the surgeon did not examine me. They have another eye doctor do the examination but he does not do surgery. He recommends the Bausch & Lomb laser treatment, or Wavefront (custom).

I am not sure I am a good candidate based on my large pupil size and cornea thickness. Plus I am 40.

I will appreciate your opinion on my case. Thanks a lot.

A: I would suggest that you go to a higher quality center, where you will be examined by the surgeon and where you can have a discussiion with the surgeon. This is not a situation to cut corners to save money.
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Hi, I am facing a dilemma as to which Lasik surgery to have. One clinic says I'm a candidate for Wavefront Lasik (one reason being I have a thicker cornea) but they use the traditional microkeratome method. Another clinic says they will use the new Intralase machine but will do a normal Lasik surgery since they haven't seen any added benefit from doing Wavefront surgery.
My eyes are about -2.5 and -4 with only a little astigmatism. I have been wearing soft contact lenses for many years and although I'm told my eyes are not producing enough tears, I haven't felt much discomfort as yet. Can you advice which one would be better for me? I worry about the diminished night vision which I hear can be a problem after surgery. Thank you in advance for a very prompt answer since I am booked for surgery immediately!

A: Wavefront can produce better night vision results. Personally, I am not convinced that there is any benefit from the IntraLase, and I do not recommend it.
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Can a person with lazy eye syndrome go for lasik surgery to correct near or far sightedness?
Thank you.

A: Yes, if the lazy eye is only a little "lazy".
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I had LASIK surgery on both eyes on 11/11/04. Today is 11/19/04. My origional Rx for both eyes prior to surgery was -3.25. I had monovision done as I had worn monovision contacts in both eyes for a year and had no problems. My surgery was on a Thursday and on Saturday my vision, in both eyes deteriorated to the point that I called the Dr. and was examined that evening. I was told I had some inflammation and a slight haze over the cornea and that 1 out of 10 patients have this problem after LASIX. My Econopred Plus 1 was increased to every 2 hours for the next 2 days. My near vision is good and I don't have a problem with it but my far vision is blurry. I had to go back again and be refracted so I could get some glasses so I could drive. My Rx is now a -0.50 in the Rt. eye and a -1.25 in the Lt. I am concerned that this will not improve. This is creating a great deal of anxiety for me as when wake in the morning I can see very clearly in the morning for about an hour but then my vision will slowly worsen. What information can you give me about this and is there anything to do except wait like the Dr.'s are telling me? Thank you.

Gwynn Cox

A: You need to wait, and you may need an enhancement to get the ideal distance vision.
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: i had lasik surgery 11-15-04. my vision is somewhat foggy but my biggest concern is letters on tv, freeways signs, reading material are very blurry and this makes me very anxious. is this normal? my eyesight was near sighted and i had astigmatism, left eye twice as bad as right eye. the people at the eye center tell me it will take 3-4 months for my vision to clear. my doctor said i will need reading glasses because of my age - 58.iam fine with reading glasses, but this blurry vision hasn't improved in one week.iam kind of 'freaking out'.please advise

A: You should have been advised that it can take 3-6 months for the vision to stabilize. If it is not ideal at that time, an enhnacement is needed.
Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Hello Doctor, I have been told that I am a candidate for the Lasik procedure eventhough I am stable glaucoma(candidate?) however, I would prefer the Intralasa instead of the custom lasik since it creates the flap with the laser instead of the blade. I have been told that it is better with the keratome for me. Is this true? Also, I have been told that I would not be entitled to the lifetime correction guarantee even though I am told I am a good candidate. My question is should my quote be lower if I am not entitled to the lifetime guarantee?? I understand that in future if I were not to be considered a good candidate, even with the guarantee, I would not exercize that option but I want the choice. Please advise me if these policies vary with surgeon?? Thanks

A: I don't think that IntraLase has an advantage or a disadvantage. As far as the lifetime guarantee, that is a contractual issue.
Andrew Caster, MD