Q: I am a pilot by profession. 8mm pupils and -3.25 in each eye. All other factors eg corneal thickness are fine. Initial consultation 2 years ago suggested not a good idea to undergo LASIK. It has now been suggested that if 7mm of the cornea is treated plus the "fade area?" given a relatively mild dose of myopia that this should be fine!? Please would you give me your opinion. With my livelyhood at stake am I crazy to even consider the procedure. Many thanks Trevor Warner A: There is a lot of confusion and contradictory scientific evidence regarding the impact of larger pupils (yours are larger) on the creation of glare after Lasik. Since we don't know for sure, I always take the conservative approach and advise patients that larger pupils may increase the risk of glare and halos. We cannot predict who will get glare and how much they will get. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California www.castervision.com

Q:  i have 2 questions 1.i had a lasik surgery but it wasnt completed(the laser wasnt used) because the suction ring didnt fix my eye... so is that really something that can happen? 2. i also need to know how much time i must wait before i can go under a second lasik procedure on my eye after the first one wasnt done? p.s my doctor put a lense in my eye for 4 days and when he removed it my vison was blurred in my right eye which is the eye that had gone under the first lasik procedure. A: Sometimes the suction ring doesn't fit correctly, and the surgery must be postpned. Depending on your specific situation, surgery can be done a week later, or sometimes it is best to wait three months. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: I just had a lasik evaluation today and booked the surgery for a week from now. I was told I'm a borderline candidate in that my cornea is thinner than average. I was directed to have the intralase procedure as it is more precise when making the corneal flap. I was told I will not be able to have enhancements due to lack of corneal tissue. Should I be concerned about this? A: You should be able to have an enhancement, if needed, with PRK. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I would like to pursue LASIKs surgery, but there is a good chance I will be joining the Air Force or NASA's astronaut corps someday. Is it possible for Air Force pilots or NASA astronauts to receive the surgery? I have heard that the incision to the cornea can re-tear at high gravitational forces like those experienced during high-speed aerial acrobatics or spaceflight. A: You need to check with the Air Force, because their policies do change. The military has allowed Lasik for certain classes of pilots, but not for others. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have an eye bags surgery done 2 years ago. What I worry is when I decide to do Lasik, the doctor will use the retainer to open the eye lids for 30 minutes. Will the retainer will hurt my eye bags or make the wrinkle worse? I am 42 yesrs old, Thanks. A: No, the retainer does not affect the eyelid "bags". Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: I am currently an applicant with a police agency, i have just done my medical and my eye doctor says that i meet the minimum requirement without corrected lenses however my corrected vision is 20/25. In order to get in i need at least one eye corrected to 20/20 but my eye doctor says she can't get me to that because i am still very young and my eyes are still to strong to adjust to a stronger percription. I am farsighted and i have astigamtism, i was just wondering if you have heard of this and if you think i will be able to be corrected to 20/20 in at least one eye either through stronger corrective lenses or through laser surgery or some combination of the two. A: Probably, stronger eyeglasses will do the trick. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I was diagnosed with Hemochromatosis Jan. 2003. I have been having monthly pheblotomys since then. My Ferritin level has dropped from 3900 to 1300. I am scheduled to have PRK in 2 weeks. My Doctor will do my left eye first and 2 weeks later he will do my right eye. Do you have any experience doing this procedure on someone that has Hemochromatis? Do you have any data that would suggest that this is a safe procedure? A: I have never seen any data to indicate that it is safe or not safe. I have no indication or expectation that there would be any particular problem. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly HIlls, California

Q: I am 40, with a -5.0 prescription. Need glasses/contacts full-time for far and near vision. Am presently trying to get pregnant- can I have Lasik done in the next few weeks? If so, how likely is it that I would still need glasses for reading etc. _ I have an office job, requiring reading/computer work much of day- either now or in the next few years? Thank you for your advice on this. A: It is not clear from your comments whether you are using bifocals or not. Lasik cannot cure the bifocal problem, though with monovision, many people who use bifocals are glasses free. I suggest that you go to a doctor for a consultation. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: Hi Dr. Caster, I am interested in getting a lasik. i have a -3.0. thanks. Roger Lotho A: That is the range that can be corrected with Lasik. You will need to have a thorough consultation in order to truly determine if you are a candidate. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly HIlls, California www.castervision.com

Q:  Dr. Andrew, I am from Brazil and I did the LASIK surgery 15 days ago. I had -7,5 (Left) and -7,0 (right). The day after the surgery I went to my doctor and he says the surgery was succeful, but there was -0,5 left in each eye. But my vision was becoming worse each day and I return to the doctor a week later. Then he told me my left eye has already -1.25. Now, a week later (15 days after the surgery) it seems both of my eyes are worst. I talked to my doctor and he said we have to wait a few more days. Is it normal to have a regression like that? Should I go to another doctor? Is it possible my eyes are "denying" the surgery? I am very worried about it. Can you help me? A: Each person responds slightly differently to the treatment, and each heals in her or his own way. What has happened to you is not completely unusual. After your eyes stabilize, which probably won't be a lot different that they are now, you can get an enhancement. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com