Q: I recently had a Lasik exam. My left eye is -1.75 and right eye is -1.25 with a slight stig. Cornea thickness in left is 501 and right is 504. I read that a thickness of 500 is considered borderline, is my cornea too thin??? A: No, your cornea is not too thin for Lasik. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I found your name on the All About Vision Web site and had a quick question for you. I was wondering if you had any first hand knowledge of who is the largest (in sales volume) Lasik provider to individuals in the U.S. or in the world. I am trying to do some market research as I am trying to introduce an idea to help them generate revenue. I would appreciate any help or suggestions. Thanks so much, Dave Gilman A: TLC is a chain and may be the largest.

Q: My vision is a+4.75 with astigmatisim in both eyes, how many procedures with my vision type have been performed with lasik and was sucessful? intially laskik was more for nearsightedness candidates? A: Lasik for your range is at or slightly above the maximum what most doctors recommend. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I have completed the lasik eye surgery, with 20-20 and 20-30 vision the preceding day after surgery.After two weeks of eye drops 3 times a day and no physical exercise, my eyes have worsened. 20-50 20-50 after 1 month 20-100 20-100 after 3 months. I have a rigorous jogging and weights routine after my intial 2 weeks of relaxing and eye drops. I was told my eyes have healed too quickly which have given this outcome. What is your opinion.? Is there an eye drop that could slow down the healing then? Does the steriod eye drop speed up the healing? A: Your result probably had nothing to do with your exercise. You may need an enhancement. No further drops will help. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Hello Dr. Caster. I am 16 and I have Macular Degeneration, and I was wondering if this will effect my sight in the next few years. It was diagnosed about a year ago, and I'm starting to notice that my eyes are getting really tired at around 4:00 pm. Is this a side effect of the macular degeneration? Thank you for your time, Faith Elderkin A: Yes, the tiredness may be a sign. You should see a retinal specialist. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: Dr. Caster During the time before Lasik eye surgery when your eyes are being tested (when you look through different lenses to read letters on the wall), is it better to have your eyes dilated, undilated or do the test in both circumstances? If the answer is both and the results are a little different, which answers do you go with (the dilated or undilated)? What kind of results (numbers) would be considered close together enough not to worry? What numbers would want you to take the test again? A: Both should be used. If the numbers are different, I believe that you should redo the undilated and then use that number. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: It is been a month since my LASIK surgery. I have large pupils and I just found out the halos, starbust that i am experiencing in my night driving IS NORMAL. Is anything out there to correct this? I used to like driving at night. NOT ANYMORE. A: It should get better over the next 3-6 months. There is also a drop, Alphagan, that can significantly improve the halos. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: I went on a consult @ a local facility. I was somewhat happy with the dx yet I had a question about PRK. I have one eye whose thickness is ok and one that is border (495) Is this worth getting done? I don't want to be left w/too little cornea tissue. The cost is $5100. I don't want it to be a "waste" of money as well. Seems like I may be better off wearing glasses if there is a high risk involved. Please let me know. Thank you A: 495 is fine, depending on your prescription as well as other factors. Go get another opinion. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: My name is Enrique Arrieta, I live in Bogotá, Colombia. I have Keratoconus and my eyecare practitioner took me to laser surgery three times. When I went to surgery I did not know that patients with keratoconus should not have laser vision correction. Would you please tell me since when is it well known that keratoconus patients should not have laser vision correction? Thank you very much! Regards; Enrique A: It has been known for several years. Andrew Caster, MD

Q: In a previous question you suggested that after LASIK surger, boxing was not an option as the flap could be displaced. Will that flap ever heal completely? I do karate, minimal contact, but think I would prefer PRK. Can you box or do martial arts after PRK method or is there no safe combination of contact sports and Laser surgery? A: Martial arts after PRK is fine, but I would not recommend Lasik for anyone who expected to get hit in the eye, such as a boxer. Andrew Caster, MD