Q: The Dr. that may do my Lasik uuses the nidek ec5000 and a Visek lasers. Im told I have plenty of "meat" to use. I have a slight astigmutism and prescription is about 2.25 diopters. Which of these 2 lasers would recommend? They say Im to use the Nidek ec5000. What would be, in your opinion, the reason they have special of $750 an eye. My biggest cocern is I do a lot of night driving for my company. Im trying to "get rid" of the glasses, period. I do understand that reading glasses will be a fact of life sooner or later. Are there any machines that are not recommended? Thanks for your help, Mike A: It is cheaper for them to use the Nidek. I would be more concerned about the result than the price. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am looking for either CRT or Ortho K doctor in south California Irvine, laguna hills, Aliso Viejo, Mission Veijo, Newport Beach A: I do not have anyone to recommend. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I've been told that my corneal tissue is very thin. Would this rule me out as a candidate? I was told that the new laser procedures would not work on me but that PRK might be the only option for me. I am nearsighted as well as have significant astimagtism. Will PRK really do me any good? What is the estimated percentage that I might have better vision? A: PRK produces results that are almost as accurate as Lasik. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have decided to have a lasik as my vision is v.high ie -10.Is is safe to go for surgery? what is epilasik? which is beter. I have used glasses for 11years, hard lens for 8 years and soft lens for 8years.Is it painful?and how many days rest is required b'coz iam a teacher. A: Lasik can be performed on patients who are -10. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am a periodontist and obviously depend on my vision for work. I have been approved for lasik surgery and the custom vue was not rec. due to the correction differences between the two analyses. I would be corrected from -4.37 with custom vue and -5.05 with the other evaluation. My corrected vision is 20/15 at the -5.05. Which is best? Also, I do develop keloids with some abrasions. Is this a big risk for me? A: Keloids are not a problem for Lasik. I would not do the custom vue due to the divergence in measurements. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Have you hear of The Lasik Vision Institute? I am thinking of having lasik surgery there.. I live in San Diego. A: Do your homework. Look for bad reports. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I had Lasik surgery about 5 years ago and have had night vision problems and low light problems ever since, especially playing sports in low light. Is this problem correctible with the new technologies? A: Yes, in many cases. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Hi Dr. Caster I went for my eye examination and was told that I am not a suitable candidate for lasik because my corneal is too thin. (between 300 to 400 micron) What other alternatives do i have other than lasik? A: With corneas that thin, I would use contacts or glasses. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have seen one doctor so far about the surgery and he told me I was a perfect canidate for it except that my age is too young for him. I will be 21 next month. I read up on the age factor and all I found was that 18 and older are sufficant enough. I really would like to have my vision corrected as soon as possible but I want to make sure it's done right the first time. Do you think I should wait until I'm thirty such as was suggested by him or can I get the surgery now? Sincerely Tiffany A: You should wait until your eyes have stopped changing, which could be 18, but sometimes not until the early 20s. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I had lasik on my right eye on Jan 2002 and it was over corrected. It was enhanced on July 2002 resulted between -.5 to -.75. I plan to do a second enhancement. What are the side effects of multiple enhancements if there are any? What are the possibilities of the risks with my situation? Both times it was done with ladarvision. What technology would be used in my case. Custom Cornea ? Wavefront? Nidek? My left eye was also undercorrected. Thank you for your time! A: Any of the lasers can be used. The risks are the same each time you have an enhancement. Andrew Caster, MD