LASIK Eye Surgery Questions and Answers

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Question:

How soon will I know what my corrected vision will be after lasik?

Answer:

Although the vision will often be quite sharp even the first day after LASIK, it takes about three months to reach your final uncorrected and corrected vision. Andrew Caster, MD

Andrew Caster, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills, CA

Question:

How big is too big for pupil size and good results with lasik? My Rx is -4.

Answer:

Dear Sandy, The pupil size is not the only factor for success after Lasik. If you are mainly concerned about "glare" at night, then light colored eyes, large pupils and small treatment area are also factors. A -4 Rx is not too high to cause concern. In general a pupil larger than 6mm could cause more glare especially if a small treatment area is used. Your doctor should be able to explain this. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil M.D. The Lasik Center

Question:

My wife is considering traveling from Seattle to Vancouver, BC for lasik surgery. Do you know of any specific resources where I can find statistics on the safety and effectiveness of the procedure in Canada versus the US? Do doctors in Canada have to have the same qualifications as doctors in the US?

Answer:

You have entered an area where it will be hard to compare apples to apples so to speak. Inportant things to ask about are experience ( more than 300 cases done), size of the optical zone of treatment( I have seen 5.5 mm patients from Canada. We use 6.5 in the USA...smaller is likely to produce more haloes at night.). In the USA, the FDA dictates what type of eyes we can operate on. There is nothing regulated in Canada, so many patients who are pushing the limit would be operated there, while here in the USA, they would not be considered good candidates. Some doctors in Canada have done LASIK for years, as have some in the USA. Others there and here have just started, and have limited experience. That is why you need to ask those questions. One more point for your wife: you will have no legal recourse as a USA citizen in Canada if the issue of Malpractice arises. My advice for my patients is to consider this, and the fact that they will have to return to Canada for enhancements, complication management, and possibly followup care. What do those trips cost in terms of time off of work, mileage, hotels, etc. Go to www.isrs.org for a site with good information. Thanks

Calvin Sprik, M.D.
Antigo, WI

Question:

My wife is considering traveling from Seattle to Vancouver, BC for lasik surgery. Do you know of any specific resources where I can find statistics on the safety and effectiveness of the procedure in Canada versus the US? Do doctors in Canada have to have the same qualifications as doctors in the US?

Answer:

You have entered an area where it will be hard to compare apples to apples so to speak. Inportant things to ask about are experience ( more than 300 cases done), size of the optical zone of treatment( I have seen 5.5 mm patients from Canada. We use 6.5 in the USA...smaller is likely to produce more haloes at night.). In the USA, the FDA dictates what type of eyes we can operate on. There is nothing regulated in Canada, so many patients who are pushing the limit would be operated there, while here in the USA, they would not be considered good candidates. Some doctors in Canada have done LASIK for years, as have some in the USA. Others there and here have just started, and have limited experience. That is why you need to ask those questions. One more point for your wife: you will have no legal recourse as a USA citizen in Canada if the issue of Malpractice arises. My advise for my patients is to consider this, and the fact that they will have to return to Canada for enhancements, complication management, at possibly followup care. What do those trips cost in terms of time off of work, mileage, hotels, etc. Go to www.isrg.org for a site with good information. Thanks

Calvin Sprik, M.D.
Antigo, WI

Question:

I have a prescription of od -125-25x180 and os -100 sph. Am I a good candidate for Lasik to correct my nearsightedness?

Answer:

You might be a candidate for LASIK or Intacs. The only way to know for sure is to have a consultation.

Question:

What is the success rate of LASIK? What is an average cost of this procedure?

Answer:

The success rate may vary from surgeon to surgeon. Also, statistics are good for general information but cannot be applied to a particular individual. There can be no guarantee. Having said that: over 98% of our patients see 20/20 or better after surgery.

Question:

Why do the prices fluctuate so much in PRK and Lasik? Why is it so much cheaper in Canada? Are they less qualified? I heard people pay as little as $1,000 and are satisfied. Do you know how I could find a good Dr. at the lowest price?

Answer:

Prices vary in this surgery, just like they vary for everything else in life. And, in general, when you get the lowest price, you generally don't get the best quality. There are lots of quality decisions that each doctor and laser center must make -- do we buy the expensive drops, or the cheap ones? the expensive drapes, or the cheap ones? Since it is impossible to undo the surgery if you are not happy, I would suggest shopping for quality, not price.

Andrew Caster, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills, CA

Question:

I had the LASIK procedure performed in November. After 2 weeks, I had double vision in my left eye and was told I had an obliteration that needed to be corrected. I had a second surgery on the left eye. My dr. tells me the obliteration is corrected and my vision is 20/40 in the left eye, but I have triple vision. He told me that this was due to the amount of reconstructive work which was performed and that the surface of the cornea is irregular, but will heal itself with time -- usually 3-6 months. Does this sound accurate?

Answer:

It may be, but is dependent upon topography. This is clearly an irregular result, but all you can do is wait for the present.

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

Question:

Is the over 40 need reading glasses problem. can it be corrected by this laser surgery??

Answer:

Dear Curtis, The reading problem can sometimes be corrected with Lasik. You would need to have an eye exam (usually free) with the surgeon of your choice before it can be decided for sure if you could be treated. Sincerely, Alexandra Chebil M.D. The Lasik Center, Irvine CA (800)841-3717

Question:

1)Which place in the world got the best reputation for Laser Cor', 2) And what is the best instrument using for Lasik Cor' Thanks, Dror

Answer:

Dear Dror, I am not aware of any center with the best reputation, although there are many excellent doctors (including myself) who obtain very good results. I personally use the"VISX" laser system, although Nidek is also very good. Every surgeon will swear by his/her own technique. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil M.D. The Lasik Center

Question:

I'd recently seen on the news (in NYC) about an advance in LASIK technology whereby the laser is "tracked" using reference points prior to each laser pulse to attain greater accuracy. Do you know what this is called and do you know anything about this? Thanks in advance.

Answer:

The technology you refer to is an eye tracking device incorporated into the laser system within the past year. This laser is called the Autonomous Laser, which I have access to, should you desire treatment. To schedule a consultation, please call Pam at 1-800-824-1073.

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

Question:

1. Can Lasik correct all nearsighted vision problems - I don't remember what my sight is but I currently wear contacts with a -10.5 and -8.5 - So my vision is pretty bad! Can Lasik correct it - or will I still have to wear "less thick" glasses? 2. After the surgery if my vision is not fully corrected-can I still wear contact lens? 3. Is it always a given that I will need to wear reading glasses after the surgery? I currently don't need them and I am 50 years old.

Answer:

The LASIK procedure can correct your full prescription. The next step is to actually perform measurements in the office. You could wear contacts after LASIK, but you should not need to do so. Reading glasses are needed, unless you elect to have the monovision option. Come by the office and we can show you this option. Please call Pam for a complimentary consultation at 1-800-824-1073.

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

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