Q: I have had GPC for over a year now and cannot seem to get it under control. Would it have to be completely cleared up for me to be a candidate for LASIK? I am 24 but had a slight prescription change within the past year. Does this also hinder my candidacy for lasik? I would appreciate a response.. thanks Catherine A: GPC does not have to be cleared up prior to Lasik. I prefer for it to be under mild control, which usually can be accomplished by stopping the soft lenses for a few weeks and taking the approriate drops. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I just had an assessment done and was told I had thin corneas (516) and a high prescription (-6.5) and was recommended to get Custom Lasik. This place doesn't use Intralase but uses the blade to cut the eye. Is it true that Intralase IS really better than the micro keratome blade? I've read mixed reviews and don't know if I should get a second opinion? Do you have a definite opinion with regards to which type of eye cutting instrument is better? A: I don't think that either is better -- I think that they are basically equivalent. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am 6 months post-Wavefront. Overcorrected by 1 diopter. Enhancement being blocked by complications. Recently diagnosed with keratitis sicca secondary to LASIK.Don't know if this diagnosis means dry eye is chronic and incurable or still amenable to healing with time to pre-surgery level.Am being referred to cornea specialist. One eye care pro said the doc's (not the original surgeon) who gave me the most recent diagnosis did not want to say Lasik-induced dry eye (fear of being asked to testify in a lawsuit), so instead said "secondary", as if it appeared out of the blue. Can you advise and/or do an enhancement? A: Dry eye is common after Lasik, and it typically goes away after several months. There are many treatments available for the dry eye, including anti-inflammatory drops, lubricating drops, tear outflow blockage, and (one of the best things) flaxseed oil pills. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I'm considering have some type of eye surgery to correct my vision, I currently wear bifolcols and using contacts with monovision. I have never been comfortable using contacts they irritate my eyes. I seem to adjust to the monovision but I'm not sure if I could sit down and read a book. I'm wondering if monvision would be a solution for me and that if my inability to read for long periods of time is secondary to the contacts irritation or my inability to adjust to monovision? What type of surgery would you suggest? A: You might try testing with monovision glasses to see how you tolerate the monovision. If you like the monovision, then I would do Lasik with monovision. It may not solve all your reading needs, but monovision will help with many reading situations. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: What percentage of people stay out of glasses for more than six years on a surgery that has successfully removed your glasses? A: The vast majority, well over 95, are not using glasses for distance six years after successful Lasik surgery. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I'm trying to verify a eye surgeon told me a laser could correct me +6.75 left eye R eye 3.75 astigmatism Is this true. A: Yes, a laser could be used, but many doctors would recommend against using a laser for that prescription. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  My 11 year old daughter is nearsighted. At 7she started wearing glasses prescribed at SPH ( distance) R -1.50 & L-1.50 At 9 years old she went to R-2.00 & L -1.75. At 11 she's at R-2.25 & L-2.50. 8 months after her last check-up, she thinks she needs new glasses again because the distance is becoming difficult to see. I'm very concerned. Is there a solution to correct this progressive problem? Thanks-MC A: There are some theories that wearing hard contact lenses may slow progression. Also, some studies have shown that certain eyedrops may slow progression. But the answers are not clear. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Which treatment is best for someone whos vision is very farsighted? A: There are several treatments, and this would depend on the exact details of the patient. Lasik, PRK, and natural lens replacement are all options. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  what is the most current or up to date machine for having custion surgery done on your eyes? A: There are several machines that are all current and up to date for custom lasik. These include Alcon LadarVision, Visx, and Bausch and Lomb. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am 49. I have always had a mild nystagmus, am nearsighted, and have an astigmatism. My best vision is achieved looking slightly out the right side. If I had to guess, I would say about 5 degrees or so. At that angle my eyes do not twitch too much. I wore hard contacts for 20 years, and my vision was 20/30 with hard contacts. During the other years when I wore glasses, the best vision correction that I could get was 20/40. The difference in my vision with hard contacts as compared to my vision with glasses was quite noticeable to me. I had LASIK surgery in 2000, and my vision after is 20/40. I would love to get my vision to 20/30, as it was when I wore hard contacts. Why did hard contacts give me better vision than glasses? Someone once told me that it was because I had two problems: (1) bad focal length (near-sighted) and (2) a poor quality, not smooth lens surface. He told me that I had a very bumpy outer eye surface. Glasses only treated problem number one. Hard contacts helped with both problems. If this is true, then I was hoping that PRK might be an option for me to get a better quality "lens surface". Since my LASIK, my eyes are drier than before, but I am able to get by with no eye drops. Any general advise? Any idea if it is worthwhile for me to look into PRK? Thanks. A: I would suggest that you get an opinion in person from a very experienced Lasik/PRK surgeon. It may be possible to further improve your vision. Andrew Caster, MD