Q: Can LASIK or PRK correct or at least improve the starburst side effect of previous RK surgery (1995)? A: If the starburst effect is lessened by putting on the proper prescription glasses, then Lasik or PRK can achieve a similar effect. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: My question is, can Lasik surgery help macular degeneration? A: Unfortunately, it cannot. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Q: I have had the prescreening done to determine if I am a good candidate for LASIK. I have been advised that I am on the borderline because of the thickness of my cornea for wavefront LASIK. Also, my pupils are larger than normal & I may have some issues there as well. I am nearsighted approx -9 diopters I have been given the option of having regular LASIK & possibly having halos, or going ahead with the wavefront knowing that I have less tissue available for future enhancements. I would like you opinion if I should have the surgery & also your feedback on which laser manufacturers have a greater success rate for reducing problems with halos. A:  The issue of halos is not well understood. Everyone has some degree of halos, whether or not he or she has had any surgery. People with larger pupils seem to be more likely to have increased halos, as well as people with larger corrections. Wavefront seems to cause less halos, but not all of the time. So in your case the answer is not clear cut. -9 is rather high to have wavefront. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Q: I've spoken to several people who say they have improved their vision through "eye exercises". Why are these not practiced more mainstream, and do they work? A:  The best known of the eye exercise programs to improve visual acuity is known as the Bates Method. Unfortunately, when this method is subjected to scientific study, it has been shown to not be effective. It is sold through informercials on TV, but it would be irresponsible for a doctor to recommend such a treatment when it is not effective. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Q:  I'm 44 yrs old and have been wearing glasses/corrective lenses since I was 18 months old due to ambliopia. I went through the viewmaster, patch therapy as a child, The eye that turned in when I took off my lenses no longer turns in due to aging? I lost some vision in this eye as a result of the amblopia (about 20/70 with contacts). Actually I have noticed this eye does more work now as my "good" eye tires. My prescription has been +3.50 for the last 10 years with the addition of +1 recently (bifocals) due to aging. I wonder if there is any possibility that I may be a candidate for vision surgery now or in the future? A:  Many doctors, including me, would be reluctant for safety reasons to operate on a patient in which one eye is correctable with glasses to only 20/70. For others, this is not an issue. +3.50 is correctable with laser vision correction, though in your case one eye is not correctable to better than 20/70. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Q: Hi, How long does it take to achieve the final result after PRK surgery? and Is it normal after PRK surgery for the vision to become a little blurry after it was clear two weeks after surgery? A: It can take 3-6 months to achieve the final vision. During this time the vision will fluctuate. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am 50 and have had RK at age 34 can PRK Help my near and far sight A: You can have each eye adjusted for near or far, but as of now we cannot correct one eye to see both near and far in someone 50 and over. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Q:  Hey.. I just started a job at Dominos and i work the Ovens alot and i have had problems with my eyes 4 times now and i don't know if the oven is causing it. But for at least 10 minutes my eyes gointo a blurr for a little while and it won't go away it kinda looks like when your in the desert and you see that blurr far away like water but its in my eyes a little can you tell me what i should do? i have never had problems with my eyes last time i checked i had perfect vision thank you A: If it happens after you are around the oven, then you may be burning your eyes, and you need to be much more careful. Otherwise, you should see an eye doctor. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Q: Who do you think is the best Lasik surgeon in Seattle? A: It is not appropriate for me to respond to this type of question. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Q: Hi Dr Caster, I am a 49 yr old woman who is contmplating lasik for nearsightedness. I have been wearing bifocals and am frustrated cause i cannot adapt to bifocal contacts. i simply cannot see with them on. I have a rt eye of 1.745 and a left of .75 and i can read just fine most of the time without my glasses if i have to. My eye dr tried me on a contact to simulate monovision but i find it not easy to read very well like that and its very fuzzy. I can see distance ok but not as clearly as with my glasses on. Since I know that my presbyopia is going to worsen as i age should I just have both my eyes corrected for distance and just use readers or pursue some other avenue? I am not sure monovision is good for me since i am sure at some point in the future i will have to have my lt eye done as well. What do you think? Just how bad will my short vision be if i get both eyes done. Does it worsen draumatically? I am also curious which laser is better? The visx 4 or the allegretto? Thanks for taking the time. Dawn A:  Many people to not adapt well to bifocal contact lenses, and many people also do not like monovision. So there is no perfect answer for you. It is a question of which solution seems best to you. You must simulate how you will see after the surgery, using glasses or contact lenses beforehand, and decide which type of vision you prefer. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com