Vision Quest, Eye Surgery Success Stories
 Los Angeles Family, July 2000

It is estimated that 1.5 million people will undergo vision correction surgery this year--more than 4 times the number in 1998. While results are nothing short of miraculous, its popularity is growing everyday. Patients who have been dealing with the hassle of glasses and contacts for years are able to throw them away for good.

LASIK, in which corneal tissue is permanently removed with a laser to reshape the eye, is the most popular type of laser eye surgery. This procedure works for most people, and the recovery time is one to three days. The treatment appears to be permanent, according to the FDA, although as people age and their eyes change, follow-ups may be necessary. With Intacts, or "intelligent contacts," a small disk made of soft contact lens-like material is inserted, which can be removed if necessary. Layers of the cornea are not removed.

How do you know if you're a candidate for either type of procedure? It is recommended you be at least 21 years of age, have mild to moderate Myopia, and otherwise have generally healthy eyes. Hyperopia (farsightedness) and Astigmatism (distorted vision) may also be corrected with surgery.

Many are skeptical about surgery involving something as important as their eyes, and rightly so--concurrent with the explosive growth in this field, a lot of unscrupulous mercenaries are leasing equipment, and offering services at low prices without adequate training.

However, there are many more qualified, trained and experienced professionals out there, like the following Los Angeles-area doctors. Just listen to what their patients have to say. The results speak for themselves.

Patient Feedback on the Caster Eye Center

I had been anxious to receive laser vision correction for quite a while. I've worn contact lenses since the age of 12. But my gung-ho zap-me-now attitude was extinguished once an extremely informative optometrist by the name of Monica Slivar and the legendary Dr. Caster gave me the low-down. After doing all the pre-operative tests I learned about all the variables involved with the laser correction, such as the cornea thickness, pupil size, etc. As it turned out, I was not the best candidate for laser correction. I was told that there was a high probability of seeing "halos" (a ring around a light) after the surgery. I was also informed that there was a good chance I would need a touch up, a second procedure used to further improve vision. Contact lenses were driving me crazy, so I decided despite the possibility of seeing halos the rest of my life, or until those laser surgeons figure out how to fix it, that I would go ahead with the surgery.

I started to get a bit nervous, however, as the day approached. it was very important that I felt comfortable. This is the type of thing that needs to be done right the first time. It's not like getting a pair of glasses--my eyes were going to be changed for life.

Dr. Caster provides valet parking, so that was one less worry on the scheduled day of my procedure. The nurse sterilized the areas around my peepers and I was escorted into a high-tech but comfortable room. I reclined back in the chair and was promptly given a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal to clutch for the duration of the surgery. I felt a little funny about holding a stuffed animal, but it was actually quite helpful. What else are you suppose to do with your hands during eye surgery? The thought of my eye being manipulated gave me the willies, but I had Winnie. The surgery began, and even before I got a chance to get to know Winnie the Pooh, it was over. The nurse counted down the seconds until the completion, which was very helpful.

Immediately afterward, I could already see significantly better, but by the next morning I could see clearly. It is a miracle. It has been a month since the surgery and my vision is 20-20 and I do not see halos. In fact, my vision is clearer than it ever was with glasses or contacts lenses. I think the most amazing improvement is the difference in the quality of depth perception. I am literally seeing things differently than I ever have. I feel like I am experiencing vision all over again.

Dr. Caster and his staff treated me with the respect and professionalism that made me feel truly at ease. This is quite an accomplishment when one's permanent vision is concerned. The office staff and the doctors at the Caster Eye Center are top notch. I felt at all times that I was in good hands. Dr. Andrew I. Caster, M.D., was voted "Best laser eye surgeon in Los Angeles," by Los Angeles Magazine's "Best of L.A. issue, 1999. Dr. Caster graduated from Harvard Medical School and attended the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. He has performed over 5,000 LASIK procedures. Dr. Caster authored The Eye Laser Miracle : The Complete Guide to Better Vision, the most widely-read book in the United States on the subject of laser vision correction. 

 - Ross Wexler