Q: After lasik operation (a few years), are the corneas more vulnerable to damage such as prolong exposure to sunlight? A: No, prolonged exposure to sunlight is equally damaging to the eyes, whether or not you have had Lasik. In some cases, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause a slight return of nearsightedness after Lasik. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have had nystagma my entire life. I wear contacts -6.00 in my left eye, -5.50 in my right eye. Would love to get out of contacts but my opthamologist said that since I have nystagma I am not a candidate for Lasik surgery. Are there any known new procedures for people with this condition? Thank You, Lisa A: People with nystagmus can certainly have laser vision correction, because the eye trackers on the lasers follow the eye as it moves. So nystagmus is typically not a problem. I have treated quite a few people with nystagmus, and we have been very happy with the results. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I had sent an email requesting how much is the insurance and what is the deductible for having Lasik procedure. Who do I talk to enroll. Cost figures are of primary importance. Can somebody help? A: Insurance almost always does not cover Lasik. If you would like to discuss costs, including financing options, please call our office at 310-274-1221. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am interested in having the LASEK procedure performed, I have a -2.5 on both eyes, but I heard that this surgery might decrease the contrastic ability, I am an Endodontist (root canal specialist) and deal with very fine objects and perform surgeries, how true is that, and would the correction have an impact on my work? J A:  LASEK or any other form of laser vision correction can have a positive or a negative effect on the contrast sensitivity, which a measurement of the ability to distinguish between small amounts of contrast. Some people have an increase and some have a decrease. As a surgeon, who is working with bright lights, this is not likely to have any effect on your work. Contrast sensitivity losses could affect the vision under dim light conditions, such as out in the woods during dusk. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dr., I am 42 yrs old and wish to have Lasik monovision surgery performed. What vision do you recommend for my "reading eye?" 20/25? 20/30? 20/40? etc. My present vision is 20/80 in my "reading eye." Thanks, Vinnie A:  I suggest that you try varying amounts of monovision in the doctor's office. This can be easily done with practice glasses that the doctor puts together in a trial frame. We have our patients walk around the office with different amounts of monovision to see how they like it. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Having sucessfully had Lasik 4 years ago and being over 50 with very mild hyperopia in both eyes, will CK , if performed, be done on both eyes, or is this a monovision procedure for both hyperopia patients and presbyopia patients? In other words, if I just have basic hyperopia, do you correct both my eyes? Thank you. Mark G. A: CK can be used for hyperopia, or to produce monovision in a hyperopic or no-distance-prescription eye. Lasik or PRK can also be used in these identical situations. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have seen a retina specialist at Loma Linda, Dr. Carlson, and he said I have Central Serius Retinopothy. It cleared up at one point and then it came back after about 7 months. He said it was one of those idiopathic diseases that has no clear method of fixing it. I'm all for a second opinion if you think there is a possibility of taking care of this. What do you think? Yolanda A. A: Generally, central serous retinopathy goes away on its own without treatment. In some cases, if it persists, laser treatment is used. It never hurts to get a second opinion. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  I am currently 35 years old and was told I was a good cadidate for the LASIK procedure. I currently wear contact lenses for nearsightedness. I am concerned about presbyopia in my 40's. My main reason for wanting to get the LASIK procedure is to get rid of my contacts and glasses due to dry, irritated eyes. If I get the procedure done, would it still be possible to wear contact lenses later on in life when presbyopia becomes a problem? Also, is monovision an option after having LASIK? A: After having Lasik, you can certainly wear contacts, if you so desire. Monovision is also an option with Lasik, and when you get older you can come back to have an adjustment to your Lasik to create monovision. Bifocal contacts only work in a small proportion of people as a solution for presbyopia. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I'm currently 15 and I want to have a lasik surgery. I am wondering if this age is okay to have a lasik surgery. My parents have said that it's fine but they need to know how old you need to be or what requirements you need. A: 15 is a little young. You should wait until your eyes have stopped changing for 1-2 years, which often isn't until 18 or older. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  Approximately 8 months ago I had surgery to repair a detached retina in my left eye. The surgery entailed a sceleral buckel (Sp) procedure as well as laser treatment to produce scar tissue to hold the retina in place. In addition they injected a gas bubble to also help hold the retina in place while the scar tissue developed. Although it appears that the retina has held in place the surgery resulted in producing considerable myopia in the affected eye. In addition I have considerable number of floaters which also negatively affects my vision in that eye. Iam wondering if Lasik might be a possible procedure to consider for improving my vision. Thank you , Jeff R. A: Lasik could be used to improve the myopia, but it will not improve the floaters. There is no acceptable treatment for the floaters. Andrew Caster, MD