Q: Can i box after the lasik procedure is done &healing is complete? A: I would not recommend boxing, ever, after Lasik. If you want to box you should have PRK or LASEK instead. Andrew Caster, MD Beverly HIlls, California

Q: What is the difference between the Ladar and Nidek laser? It seems the Ladar is more expensive. Is it just as good? Is there that much of a difference? Thank you so much A: The lasers are manufactured by different companies and have different characteristics. I have my own personal opinion, but it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that in this forum. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: If I has a hole in my retina repaired would I stll be able to get corrective laser surgery? A: Possibly, depending on how well your vision can be corrected with glasses or contacts. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: I have worn contacts for 35 yrs. I am 49 yrs. old. I wear Gas perm. lenses because I have stigmitism and don't get clear vison with any soft lenses. I have tried 'many'soft ones. I am told I would be a good candidate for laser surgery, but my question is when I wear my gas perm. lenses I get much better vision than when I wear soft lenses. After my laser surgery would my vision be more like with my gas perm. lenses or my soft because of my stigmitism. Right now my left eye is 7.50, and right is 7.00. Also what do you think about Mono vision.?? I hear mixed A: Your vision after Lasik would be more like your vision with the gas permeable lenses, because the surgery can correct your astigmatism and your soft lenses do not. Monovision works well for many people. You must try it first with glasses or contacts to see if you like it before having Lasik. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: If you have had lasik surgery previously (approx. 2 years ago), can you then do CK on the eyes? If the lasik surgery worked.. and the follow on CK worked would that person have both near and far vision? A: After Lasik, CK can be performed. You will lose some distance vision in order to achieve better near vision with the CK. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: how long do I have to use Timolol drops after lasik - I seem to be having migraines every day since surgery 6 weeks ago. Thank you, Diana A: Timolol can be used to lower the presssure in the eye. You must use it as long as your pressure is elevated, or until your prescription changes. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have been told that patients who have undergone LASIK surgery will always have a scar which can be seen during an eye examination. However, patients who have had PRK have no signs of such a procedure even during extensive eye examinations. Is this true? A: Often, it is close to impossible to see that a patient has had Lasik or PRK; sometimes, you can tell that Lasik or PRK was performed. It varies from person to person. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly Hills, California

Q: I have neovascularization of both eyes due to ill-fitting soft contact lenses worn for a number of years. I was wondering if the blood vessels formed as a result of this condition ever recede, and, if so, could they recede enough for me to ever be a Lasik candidate? Thank you, Ingrid Sandstrom A: Yes, the blood vessels will recede after a few months of being out of the offending contact lenses. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly HIlls, California

Q: After my lasik surgery do I have to stay away my pets. if so, how long? How much pain is involved after surgery and when can i wear makeup and go to my workout stair-step class? A: Be careful around the pet for the first few days, because you don't want to get hit in the eye. There is very little pain; you can wear makeup in one week. Andrew Caster, MD Caster Eye Center Beverly HIlls, California

Q: My prescription is relatively high - in the "mid-600s" in both eyes. I have been told that custom lasik is not approved for prescriptions of my severity yet. So, I am struggling with the decision of whether to get convnetional lasik now, or wait for approval of custom for my prescription. So, the two key questions are: 1) Is there any known timeline for when custom lasik would be approved for my prescription? 2) In your medical opinion, is custom lasik worth waiting for - that is, is it that much better than conventional lasik? Thanks! Brian Fischbeck A: Custom Lasik is slightly better. Not a huge difference, only subtly better. The Alcon Ladarvision laser is now approved for custom wavefront up to -7.00. Andrew Caster, MD Beverly Hills, California