LASIK Eye Surgery Questions and Answers

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Question:

I have been using contact lenses for about 7 years. The problem is that I still need to change my prescription frequently, annually, (now -6.25) I'm 26 years old. Also, weekly contact lense stayed for a day or two then move from my eye!! Is LASIK a right way for such sharp myopia and if not what other possible ways to get rid of glasses and contact lenses.

Answer:

LASIK is an ideal solution for people that are having contact lens problems. Please schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation at your convenience, and we can review your situation much more thoroughly. Sincerely, John Zdral, M.D.

John D. Zdral, M.D.
Fullerton, CA

Question:

I had PRK surgery done on my right eye a week and a half ago. I have hypermetropia (this is how it is called in Spanish). I chose this procedure over lasik because my ophthalmologist said it was safer and more precise. My operation was on a Thursday and my doctor said that by Monday my eye was to have healed and he would be removing the protective contact lens. On Monday he said that there was a small part in the center that had not healed and that we would wait until Wednesday. This happened again on Friday and yesterday (Monday) he told me that if by Thursday it had not healed he wanted to scrape my eve again. I am not seeing well through the operated eye. Definitely worse that I did before the operation and my vision is very hazy. I also have acute discomfort all of the time. I am not willing to have this doctor scrape my eye again without a few other opinions and I am willing to travel wherever I have to in order to confer with the leading authority in the field (I live in Puerto Rico), The problem is finding out who the leading authority is. ...

Answer:

Dear Keller, Thank you for you letter. It sounds like the surface layer of epithelium(which is removed during PRK) has not grown back yet. Until this tissue heals completely it is normal to see "hazy" and to have discomfort. Sometimes the only way to help the tissue heal is to rescrape the cornea. I suggest that you continue with your original doctor until this healing is complete. Hypermetropia always takes longer to heal than myopia so you should be patient, I'm sure things will get better soon. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil

Question:

I have terrible eyesight. i.e. Stigmatisms in both eyes. Can it be corrected? and if so how much would it cost? Does HMO insurance cover any of the cost?

Answer:

Astigmatism is best treated by LASIK. You need to check with your HMO to see if they have benefits that include refractive surgery.

Byron Stratas, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Wilmington, NC

Question:

How do I find out if I am a good candidate for the LASIK procedure? I am nearsighted, but my eyes are very different. One eye is about a -6.5, and the other eye is about a -2. Thanks. Also, is this procedure allowed by HMO insurance?

Answer:

Your eyes are well within the range for LASIK treatment. I would encourage you to come into the office for a consultation, at which time we can review all of your options. Typically, the LASIK procedure is not covered by insurance, but we will be happy to check for you. Sincerely, John Zdral, M.D.

John D. Zdral, M.D.
Fullerton, CA

Question:

Does this treatment help Keratoconus

Answer:

Lasik is not recommended for keratoconus as yet. New treatment protocols may allow this in the future, but I would wait for their evalulation before proceeding. Donald Tingley. MD

Question:

At this time, does LASIK correct for both astigmatism & myopia?

Answer:

Yes, LASIK is able to correct both astigmatism and myopia. It is also able to work when doing hyperopia. DT

Question:

I had LASIK surgery a week ago. At the one week follow-up, my vision is 20/25 (was 20/800) in my right eye and 20/40 (was 20/600) in my left. Everything still seems a bit blurry especially inside. The doctor didn't seem to be concerned about this when I told her. Is this normal and how long can I expect it to last?

Answer:

You may be undercorrected. Also, ask your doctor to verify that you don not have stria.

Ernest Kornmehl, MD
Brookline, MA

Question:

I have been looking into Lasik/Lasek surgery for awhile now. I am at a point where I wish to price the surgery that I will require. I know I need to go to a few local dr's and get a free consultation to see if I am even a candidate, but I would like to have an opinion as to whether I am wasting my time: I have astigmatism in both eyes, one far worse than the other, and am near-sighted. I have been putting $$ in my savings account and would like a price range for Lasik/Lasek on such a patient with my type problems. Is this possible? Just a range...I want to know how far away I am. This is something I have been wanting for years!

Answer:

The average price is about $1600 per eye for this procedure. Most offer a free consultation with the surgeon - that is what consultation means. You would need to be evaluated before one can tell you if you are a good candidate. www.canovision.com

David Cano, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL

Question:

Is a corneal thickness of 475 to 495 ok for LASIK - my vision is 20-400

Answer:

Dear Mike, Your cornea is probably to thin for LASIK, but may still be safe for PRK or LASEK. As you are in my area, please feel free to contact my office for a free consultation to see whether or not you are a candidate for this other procedure. A Orbscan topography map will need to be done to better assess your cornea. You can obtain more information by visiting our website at www.canovision.com or calling (561) 684-4773. Sincerely, David Cano, M.D. Vice-president, Florida Society of Ophthalmology

David Cano, M.D.
West Palm Beach, FL

Question:

My wife and I had an altercation just before Christmas. Unfortunately she became so angry with me that she threatened my life with a very large kitchen knife. We had exchanged very heated words after which she slapped my left eye. That eye had just had lasik surgery. I slapped her back in self defense. I called the police and we both spent the night in jail. She has now placed a protective order against me and states that I need counseling. What about her? We have only been married 17 months. I now feel that the marriage is over and that I can never go back to her. Initially I begged her to forgive me but she never even said sorry to me. She would not even talk to me. Throughout our marriage she has been very cold, angry, and vindictive in non-verbal ways whenever she is angry with me. When she gets angry with me she stays angry with me for days. I feel that I can no longer stay in a marriage where a person is going to act like this. Is this abuse on her part? She is claiming that I am an abusive person but this act of violence toward each other is the first time that this has happened. Is this an indication of that she will try to pick a fight with me again and will she become more violent in the future? It seemed as if she was one person when she made the threat and then she was another person when I called the police. Please advise me on what to do. I am certain that divorce or annullment is the only safe solution for me. Thanks, Richard

Answer:

Dear Richard, You must be shaken. You’ve been through a traumatic experience. This goes to show that it isn’t always the man who is the violent one. Nobody can predict how your wife will behave in the future, though her failure to apologize, or to consider counseling for herself, is a bad sign. Certainly, hitting you and threatening you with a knife was abusive. Regardless, I would be reluctant to stay in a marriage after my life was threatened with a knife. How could you ever feel safe again? When you entered this marriage, you had hopes and expectations. Even if you are glad to get away from your wife, you have lost the hopes and expectations, and have a right to mourn and feel sad for that. Need is a relative matter. Counseling will only help if you want it. It doesn’t sound like you will commit suicide or be imprisoned or hospitalized if you don’t get counseling. On the other hand, I think counseling could be VERY helpful to you. It would help you understand what drew you to such an angry, violent woman in the first place, and what else, if anything, you contributed to the situation, so you are less likely to make the same mistake(s) again. It will also help you cope with the strong feelings you must be left with. You can be glad that this happened so early in the marriage, before you invested more years and had children. You should look for a psychotherapist (psychologist or social worker) who has expertise in Domestic Violence, and works with survivors, not perpetrators. Expertise in Expressive Therapies would be useful. I, myself would prefer someone with an Existential/Humanistic orientation. Not finding that, I’d look for someone with a Psychodynamic orientation. It is MUCH more important that the therapist is someone you feel comfortable with than what the areas of expertise and the orientation are. You can find information about psychologists in your area in The National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology at www.nationalregister.org, or in your public library. Similar information about clinical social workers can be found at www.naswdc.org. Feel free to write again to let me know what happened, or if you have further questions.

Question:

I am considering lasik, but I am concerned if I am a candidate or not. I have astigmatism in both eyes and am very near sighted. I think my vision is a 13 in both eyes. I have worn hard contacts for three years now. How long would I have to go without my contacts? How much correction could I realisticly expect?

Answer:

With your prescription, you may or may not be a candidate, depending on several factors. You should obtain an opinion from a qualified surgeon. Andrew caster, MD

Andrew Caster, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills, CA

Question:

I was diagnosed with astigmatism as a pre-schooler. Over the years my vision has deteriorated to the point of constantly requiring the use lens. I also, had an aneurysm 2 1/2 years ago, requiring brain surgery. My questions: 1) Could I possibly be a candidate for lasik eye surgery. 2) Does lasik eye surgery permanently correct vision, or might it periodically need to be repeated?

Answer:

Your aneurysm surgery should have nothing to do with lasik, though I would make sure that the visual field is normal. It your eye is undergoing a naturally occurring change over time, lasik will not stop that from occurring. However, the change created by lasik is permanent. Andrew Caster, MD castervision.com

Andrew Caster, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills, CA

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