LASIK / FAQs

Since you are 50, you have presbyopia, the condition of “middle aged eyes” in which you have trouble seeing up close when your eyes are adjusted for distance. So if you have LASIK, you will need to use “cheater” glasses for up-close work, such as reading, or you will need to get monovision.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

Laser vision correction — LASIK or PRK — works for most high degrees of astigmatism.

Andrew Caster, MD FACS
www.CasterVision.com

I would recommend that you get a second opinion in person from a LASIK specialist.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

No, detached retina is a serious problem in which the retina, which is the “film” in the back of the eye that measures the light, is no longer attached to the back of the eye. It requires immediate surgery.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

For most people, the results are permanent. A small number, we estimate around 5%, will have changes in their distance vision over time and will require a touch-up at some point in the future. And of course, unless you get monovision, you will need reading glass “cheaters” when you get over 45-50.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

0.25 change is considered minimal and would not prevent you from having LASIK. We do not know what causes the eye to become more nearsighted. Some people who work a lot at computers do become a little more nearsighted, but the vast majority do not.
Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

There is nothing you have said that indicates that you cannot have LASIK. You may choose to wait another year to see if your eyes have stopped changing. Most people go back to work the next day after LASIK, but I would work only a few hours during the first few days; you want to be careful that your eyes stay moist.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

The contact lens can cause minor changes, temporarily, in the thickness and in the curvature of the cornea.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

You could have surgery on the right eye to make it more equal in prescription to the left. It really makes very little difference which technology you use regarding IntraLase or keratome, or the three lasers you mentioned, all of which are very good. It is really more a matter of surgeon preference than some easily measureable difference in quality. My pesonal preferences at this time for you would be Alcon LadarVision with the Bausch and Lomb keratome.
I would recommend that you focus your attention more on the doctor. That is the all important factor, and there are important differences in quality. Find the best doctor, and then go with his/her recommendations regarding technology.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

The vision at night after laser vision correction is most often similar to the vision before the surgery with your glasses or contacts.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

It should not be a problem.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

The more current information is that LASIK is not a problem for keloid formers. Many doctors are not aware of the newer information.

Andrew Caster, MD FACS
www.CasterVision.com

The flap creation takes about 20 seconds. There is a feeling of “pressure”, but most people say that it does not hurt. You can also have the “LASIK without the flap’” though the healing pattern is a little slower.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com

You can most likely have a procedure to correct the distance vision, which may also help with the night halos.

Andrew Caster, MD
www.CasterVision.com