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Vision
Quest, Eye Surgery Success Stories
Los Angeles Family, July
2000
It is estimated that
1.5 million people will undergo vision correction surgery this
year--more than 4 times the number in 1998. While results are
nothing short of miraculous, its popularity is growing everyday.
Patients who have been dealing with the hassle of glasses and
contacts for years are able to throw them away for good.
LASIK, in which
corneal tissue is permanently removed with a laser to reshape the
eye, is the most popular type of laser eye surgery. This procedure
works for most people, and the recovery time is one to three days.
The treatment appears to be permanent, according to the FDA,
although as people age and their eyes change, follow-ups may be
necessary. With Intacts, or "intelligent contacts," a
small disk made of soft contact lens-like material is inserted,
which can be removed if necessary. Layers of the cornea are not
removed.
How do you know if
you're a candidate for either type of procedure? It is recommended
you be at least 21 years of age, have mild to moderate Myopia, and
otherwise have generally healthy eyes. Hyperopia (farsightedness)
and Astigmatism (distorted vision) may also be corrected with
surgery.
Many are skeptical
about surgery involving something as important as their eyes, and
rightly so--concurrent with the explosive growth in this field, a
lot of unscrupulous mercenaries are leasing equipment, and
offering services at low prices without adequate training.
However, there are
many more qualified, trained and experienced professionals out
there, like the following Los Angeles-area doctors. Just listen to
what their patients have to say. The results speak for themselves.
Patient Feedback on
the Caster Eye Center
I had been anxious to receive
laser vision correction for quite a while. I've worn contact
lenses since the age of 12. But my gung-ho zap-me-now attitude was
extinguished once an extremely informative optometrist by the name
of Monica Slivar and the legendary Dr. Caster gave me the
low-down. After doing all the pre-operative tests I learned about
all the variables involved with the laser correction, such as the
cornea thickness, pupil size, etc. As it turned out, I was not the
best candidate for laser correction. I was told that there was a
high probability of seeing "halos" (a ring around a
light) after the surgery. I was also informed that there was a
good chance I would need a touch up, a second procedure used to
further improve vision. Contact lenses were driving me crazy, so I
decided despite the possibility of seeing halos the rest of my
life, or until those laser surgeons figure out how to fix it, that
I would go ahead with the surgery.
I started to get a bit
nervous, however, as the day approached. it was very important
that I felt comfortable. This is the type of thing that needs to
be done right the first time. It's not like getting a pair of
glasses--my eyes were going to be changed for life.
Dr. Caster provides
valet parking, so that was one less worry on the scheduled day of
my procedure. The nurse sterilized the areas around my peepers and
I was escorted into a high-tech but comfortable room. I reclined
back in the chair and was promptly given a Winnie the Pooh stuffed
animal to clutch for the duration of the surgery. I felt a little
funny about holding a stuffed animal, but it was actually quite
helpful. What else are you suppose to do with your hands during eye
surgery? The thought of my eye being manipulated gave me the
willies, but I had Winnie. The surgery began, and even before I
got a chance to get to know Winnie the Pooh, it was over. The
nurse counted down the seconds until the completion, which was
very helpful.
Immediately afterward,
I could already see significantly better, but by the next morning
I could see clearly. It is a miracle. It has been a month since
the surgery and my vision is 20-20 and I do not see halos. In
fact, my vision is clearer than it ever was with glasses or
contacts lenses. I think the most amazing improvement is the difference
in the quality of depth perception. I am literally seeing things
differently than I ever have. I feel like I am experiencing vision
all over again.
Dr. Caster and his
staff treated me with the respect and professionalism that made me
feel truly at ease. This is quite an accomplishment when one's
permanent vision is concerned. The office staff and the doctors at
the Caster Eye Center are top notch. I felt at all times that I
was in good hands. Dr. Andrew I. Caster, M.D., was voted
"Best laser eye surgeon in Los Angeles," by Los
Angeles Magazine's "Best of L.A. issue, 1999. Dr. Caster
graduated from Harvard Medical School and attended the UCLA Jules
Stein Eye Institute. He has performed over 5,000 LASIK procedures.
Dr. Caster authored The Eye Laser Miracle : The Complete Guide
to Better Vision, the most widely-read book in the United
States on the subject of laser vision correction.
- Ross
Wexler
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Dr.
Caster in the News
