Q: I underwent the Custom Lasik on both eyes (-5.25, -6.25) on December 2nd. My optometrist, at my one week follow up check up tells me that I developed, or the surgery amplified an astigmatism in my left eye (previously not present) and that I am still -1.0 in my right eye. My vision is blurry in both and it still feels like it is fluctuating. I deffinately cannot see road signs until too late while driving. My optometrists says I qualify for a touch up. I am scared. What is the possibility of further complications? How often does this happen? I get regular pains behind my eyes, I think because I am not used to the poor vision. While watching TV, unless 4 feet away, I can hardly recognize the actors. Help! What can you tell me from this limited information? A: You should have been told from the start that many patients require enhancement surgeries. It is not uncommon. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I had lasik surgery two weeks ago and have had insomnia ever since. Can the laser affect the thalamus, and hypothalamus part of the brain which are responsible for the function of sleep and are behind the eye? A: Probably not. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have recently had Lasik surgery and am having complications with worsening eye twitches (worse on one eye). Have you had any other complaints like this? Is there anything I can do? Thanks so much. Nancy Ralston A: I would talk to your doctor about this. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I've had a lasik surgury in both eyes some 10 plus years back in Phoenix, Az. I have been pretty satisfied with it so far until something odd happened recently. This is a rather unique question that I want to ask - it just happened with a month that my vision started to really go down, things just got really blurry to the point that I couldn't even watch a game in a gym. I forgot to take out a tampon after having my monthly period and I went to a doctor to have it removed but for some crazy reason they didn't detect it. This was done with a doctor other than the one I usually see. My regular doctor said that it was possible that it could have been somewhere else behind a flap in my uterus/vagina. After one month of living with this embarrassment it was finally taken out after I tried to take it out myself, which by that time the tampon had gotton pretty bit. As soon as the tampon was taken out at an emergency room, the next day my vision alot better - I could actually see people's face in the gym again. All this problem happended with in a months period. Today my eyes still aren't back to its normal focus but they are still blurry and dry. My whole body seemed to be completely dried out during that time and up to now, my vision seems to be coming back bit by bit and I'm hoping it all comes back. My doctor doesn't believe the whole ordeal and thinks it something else but personally I think it had a lot to do with the tampon that completely dried me out, along with my eyes especially. I'm just waiting a bit longer and I'm going in to see an eye doctor. I'm not sure who to see - a regular eye doctor or a lasik doctor. What do you think about this crazy incident? Give me some input. Thank you. A: I am happy that things are better. You can see any ophthalmologist. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am male 39 yrs, nearsighted [-2.75 both eyes], and my contact prescription has not changed much in 3 or 4 years. Should I expect to have to do Lasik surgery more than once? More frequently as I age? Can I go back to glasses if my vision worsens later? Thanks A: For most people, the results of Lasik will be permanent and no further Lasik will be needed. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I am curently in the military and I am on the wait list for LASIK but its about four years. My eyes over the last few years have become worst, should i wait to have LASIK or just do it now? I'm 20 male/ good health A: Lasik will not stop the eyes from changing. We like to see 2 years without change to be sure that the eyes have stabilized. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  if I'm 49 and 6.75 vison 3.75 sig would you correct to 6.0 and if so what would you charge I'm fullerton ca thank you Demetrius A: It would be best to call our office at 310-274-1221 to discuss all the issues. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Hi, I would like to get clear answers on the following questions related to Lasik surgery, especially that I'm considering Lasik: 1- Since when is Lasik being done? 2-I have nearsightedness around -6.75 in left eye and 6.5 in my right eye. what would you estimate the correction percentage would be i.e. am i going to wear glasses after Lasik. 3- My doctor name is Johhnny Khoury, he's the only one that operates in American University of Beirut hospital and he is a diplomate from the American Board of Ohtalmology, do you think I should consider operating in the States as I have my Green card and can go there. Thanks a lot for your quick response. A:  You are a candidate for Lasik based on your prescription. I do not know about your doctor. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: what is differnce between verisyse and cyrstal lens surgery?my husband is considiring c.lens surgery, cost at 2500. per eye is that about right,seems a little steep. A: Verisyse is a lens that is placed inside the eye. With CrystaLens, the natural lens inside the eye is removed and a new lens is placed. $2500 per eye is very low. Andrew Caster, MD

Q:  I just had consultations done at the Hauser-Ross Eye Institute in Sycamore, IL done. They thought up front that I would be a good candidate for the customvue procedure. I am not due to astigmatism falling out of the acceptable range. They said they could proceed with traditional lasix. I have a couple of questions.. 1. Dr. Ahn mentioned a new procedure that is not FSA approved yet that is better than customvue and that takes higher tolerances for astigmatism than customvue. He did not know when it would be approved or if I would be an ideal candidate but he said he needed to tell me all of my options. What do you think? 2. My prescription now is very near sighted and worse the -3 on both eyes in astigmatism-do you think the traditional lasik will work? 3. I have a vertical imbalance in one eye and wear a prism to correct that (glasses all my life, no contacts because I cannot stand things touching my eyes). What effect will this procedure have on my verical imbalance. Will i still have to wear a prism for that? Please let me know. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! A: The lasik does not affect the need for prism, so you will still need prism afterwards. I cannot comment on whether you are a good candidate for Lasik because I do not have all the information. Andrew Caster, MD