Q: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PRK. I WAS CONSIDERING HAVING IT DONE. MY DIOPTER IS 2 AND 2.5. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF ACHIEVING 20/20 VISION AND HOW SOON AFTER THE SURGERY SHOULD MY VISION STABLIZE. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR MY VISION TO BE CLEARER IN THE MORNING THAN IN THE DAY TIME . PLEASE WRITE ME BACK, CLAUDIA A: You have a good prescription for PRK. The odds are over 90 that you would achieve 20/20 without any additional touch-up procedures. It will take several months for your vision to stabilize. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dear Dr. Caster, I just want to know if there any chance a lasik patient can get AIDS from an open wound cause by the speculum? Do you think wearing glasses will give you pretty much the same vision as from custom lasik? A: It would be possible to transmit the AIDS virus if the speculum were not sterilized, but of course every center sterilizes the speculum. Often, the vision is a little better after custom lasik than with glasses, but not always. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  Dear Dr. Caster, I'm sorry to bother you. I just have one last question about contrast sensitivity. During an eye exam, I can see 20/20 line with a little bit of difficulty. I think my contrast sensitivity is very poor. If the exam was in a brighter room, I believe I can see 20/20 line easily. Do you think I have 20/20 vision, but the con. sensitivity make it a little less than 20/20. I can see better outside than my mother who is farsighted. Can custom lasik greatly improve contrast sensitivity? Thanks A: 20/20 means that you see, at the very limit of your vision, the 20/20 line. If it were very easy to see this, then you would probably be able to see the next line down, 20/15, and you would be better than 20/20. Contrast sensitivity can be improved by custom lasik, but not always. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dear Dr. Caster: Am I a candidate for Laser surgery as I had my catract taken out a year ago but still cannot see and have high astigmatism? And, after the surgery, I can see distance and also read without glasses? many thanks for your kindness to answer my question. (How much for one eye, Doctor?) -ken (55 years) A: You can have lasik, but unless you had a multifocal lens placed into your eye during the cataract surgery, you will not be able to see distance and near in the same eye. Please call my office if you have any questions 310-274-1221. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am getting the lasik done tomorrow at 3. Can I go swimming in the river today and can I drink alcohol tonight? A: Yes you can. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: What are the factors that determine if my vision will be corrected up too 20/20, or at least enough for me to stop using eyeglasses? what is the percentage of people who achieved 20/20 vision? A: There are many factors. The most important is your prescription. The more that needs to be corrected, the more likely that you will be close to perfect, but not perfect, in which case a touch-up procedure is performed. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: What is the maximum near sighted perscription one may have and still have to surgery done? I've heard -10 Also, can you tell me the cost, and if most insurances will pay for some of the amount. A:  For most people 10-12 diopters is the maximum correction. Insurance usually does not cover the cost. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dear sir, Im a nearsighted person of age 21.I started wearing glasses when I was 15 years old.Infact I came to know about it at that age.May be I had it since I was 12.I was asked to use the glasses constantly since I started using them. Power of my specs: R-eye Cylindrical-2.50 AXIS- 95 L-eye Cylindrical-2.50 AXIS- 90 The point was CYL -2 in the begining and then the doctor increased it to CYL -2.25 when I complained about a poor vision and Later it was again increased to CYL -2.50 After reading your article about Pathological Myopia,I'm very scared.Will I become blind eventually?? Is it possible to cure it by using Lasik Surgery or those Contact Lenses which reshapes the eyeball ?? Awaiting your precious reply... Minhas; INDIA A: You do not have Pathological Myopia. You do not have myopia at all, but rather have astigmatism, which is correctable with laser vision correction. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Hi Dr. i think i am doing the laser surgery this X-Mass. i live in OHIO so it will br eally cold, and freezing outside.. and the snow all over. Can i still do the SURGERY safely.... or do u recomand waitting for next summer, or other VICATION... HOWEVER it is really better for me if i did it around X-MASS.. Thank you so much DR. ALI A: Christmas time is fine. The cold does not matter. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dear Dr. Caster, I just want to know what is the best laser out of bausch&Lomb or VISC. What is the best possible vision from eyeglasses, 20/20,20/10 or better.Do farsighted people see distance object 20/20?Thanks. A: Farsighted people can often see distance objects at 20/20, but especiallly if they are over 50, they often willnot see at distance well. With eyeglasses, the best possible vision is around 20/15. People argue over which is the best laser. Andrew Caster, MD