Q: I had LASIK 5 days ago. The first post op day it was discovered I had "striae" OS. I was seeing 20/20 OD and 20/40-20/60 OS. I got the feeling the situation was quite emergent and was told to return that p.m. where a different surgeon would be refloating my flap. The surgeon rolled the flap back onto itself and then I believe used something called a Q-cell to clean the surface. At no time was any solution used to hydrate the flap. He then proceeded to roll the flap back out and try to flatten it. He was not happy with the results and attempted a refloat one more time, again rolling the flap back onto itself and then flattening it back again. At the completion of the procedure there were still some fine striae (not sure if they are micro or macro) but there was also some inflammation so I was told to used pred forte q 2 h in each eye. A contact lens bandage wasplaced on the left eye immediately post procedure. The following day striae were still present. They decided at that point that the surgeon who did the surgery should evaluate. He determined the surgeon could not have done a better job refloating the flap and he did not want to mess with it as he did not think he could get any better results. I am now being told to wait a couple of weeks, that the vision can fluctuate for up to 6 months post op but my gut feeling is that this eye has been blurry from immediately post op and really has been little change after the refloats. Should I be getting a second opinion? Have you ever done a refloat without using any solution? The surgeon's thinking on my particular case was by not using solution it would keep the cornea "sticky" and that he might get a better result in having the flap stick to the cornea to work the striae out. Obviously I can function at this level of visual acuity, but I am very disappointed the left eye is not "perfect" like the right eye and do not feel I have BCVA in that left eye. Please help me out as I feel the clock is ticking. A: Most doctors choose to use a lot of fluid. If you are concerned, then get a second opinion. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Greetings, My thirteen year-old son was diagnosed two years ago with Esophoria, Anisometropia - astigmatism, and Right Amblyopia. His visuals are OD: 20/400 and OS: 20/20. The treatment is to wear eyeglasses full-time. He has not adjusted well and I am highly concerned about his quality of life and learning. As a parent, I need to understand what corrective options are currently available, or on the horizon. I was warned by his treating pediatric opthalmology that surgery on minors is frowned upon. Is this true? Regards, Rachel E. Diaz A: Lasik is in general frowned upon with children, though some doctors are now doing it. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  I had Lasik OU preformed in 11/2000. I had it performed twice. The second time was to correct the slight astigmatism. It was sucessfully done. I had the procedure done at Pacific Laser Eye Center. This past year I find my far sight vision getting blurred. I was told by my eye doctor a small percentage of Lasik patients will end up having to go back to wearing contacts or glasses. I love the freedom of not having to deal with the daily care of contacts or glasses however I am afraid to do the surgery again because it didnt last and I dont know if I run the risk of loosing my sight completely. Will a different Lasik surgery be better for me or should I just stick with contacts and glasses? Please let me know. Many thanks for your assistance. Susan Kingham A: There is probably no reason that you cannot have another lasik. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am considering LASIK and have already had a consultation. The doctor said I'm a very good candidate. I have been wearing RGP lenses for the last three years and have heard conflicting information on how long I need to be out of them before having LASIK. The doctor that conducted my consultation gave me soft lenses and told me I can wear them for a few weeks and then need to wear glasses only for 3-5 days before I have another consultation. However, I have also heard you need to be out of the RGPs for up to 6 months? I would like to know what the consensus is. Also, is there an organization that will provide actual doctor recommendations/referrals for refractive surgery? I want to ensure I find the best doctor possible in my area (Tampa area). Thank you for your assistance. A: There is no consensus, but one month for every decade of wear is a conservative standard. Try usaeyes.org. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I was wondering if problems with depth perception was a possible side effect with wavfront lasik. Also, what are the chances of the flaps not adhering back to the eye after surgery? A: If your corneas are normal then the flaps will adhere. Depth perception is not a problem, unless you get monovision, which cna affect it slightly. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dear Doc, I was high myopic -16, I got lasik surgery some 4 years ago. After surgery I got clear sight but gradually it declined and now after five years I need to wear -9 glasses. Please let me know what could be the reason ? Is there any cure again to improve my sight? regards A: Phakic implants may be a treatment for you. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am a candidate for Lasek; one doctor told me that when he performs Lasek it is done on one eye first and then the 2nd eye 2 weeks later. Another doctor told me he does them both at the same visit. What is your opinion? A: Either is acceptable, and it depends on your specific situation. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: My prescription for left eye is -3.5 and for the right eye it is -3.75. I am 28 years old and will conitue to be in academics and research. Do you think I should go for this surgery and how effective will it be for me. A: That is a good prescription for Lasik. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: You say that less than 1 of peoples vision worsens after LASIK treatment, but is it still better than they could see before surgery without their glasses on? ie if they could see 20/100 without glasses beforehand will there be an improvement to that, or could it be even worse?? A: Almost everyone gets better uncorrected vision after treatment than they had before. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Are there any risks with LASIK if you have a career that deals with high altitude, like a pilot in a non-pressurized plane? I heard that your eyes my be at risk of rupturing. What if you had LAISK 5 years ago? Is there a risk then? A: There is no risk with Lasik. The earlier non laser surgery RK had problems with higher altitudes. Andrew Caster, MD