I don't have the figures for my eyes (degree of hyperopia) but I am very farsighted in one of my eyes and have astigmatism in that eye as well. I recently went for a pre-Laser surgery exam at a local university medical school. I was told that they are doing a study using the Nidek equipment for people like me and that I qualify for the study. My questions are these:
1) If I choose not to participate in this study, do I have any other options for having laser surgery? The doctor I talked to said that my only other options would be to have either the astigmatism corrected or the farsightedness corrected but that no other laser equipment has been approved to correct both. Is this true?

2) If I participate in the study, I would be required to have follow-up exams every 3 months for 2 years. I presume that people who aren't part of a study would not be followed so closely and for so long. Is it to my advantage to be followed so much or am I be doing it just for purposes of the study? If the latter, shouldn't there be some reduction in the fee to compensate me for making numerous trips to the clinic? They do not offer a discount.
3) After reading the posts on this board, I'm getting worried about having the surgery done at all. The doctor I saw said he does no enhancements because he finds that there are more problems in healing afterwards and the amount of improvement is so small. However, after reading these posts, it sounds like enhancements are not uncommon so now I'm wondering if I should have the surgery done by someone who's willing to consider enhancements if they're necessary?

Thank you in advance for any answers you can give me.

I too had hyperopic astigmatism. My surgery was done on the Visx s/2 laser. It could have also been done on the Autonomous laser. Both of these lasers are FDA approved for Hyperopia and astigmatism. You do have options but those options will depend on your prescription. Get a 2nd and maybe a 3rd opinion. My doctor will do enhancements and with our type of prescption it is more likely that we will need one.

Good Luck and enjoy your new eyesight!!

Leslie,
You have only one set of eyes. Apparently Nidek doesnt have FDA approval yet for h-lasik and is looking for willing guinea pigs to practice on. As a high hyperope with astigmatism (like I was) you are in the group with the lowest percentage of 20/20 results from lasik. Don't risk it with these guys. Find a center and a doc who is very experienced with h-lasik/astigmatism and has good results to prove it with referrals. If your pupils are under 6.5 mm, and have thinner than normal corneas the Visx S3 is a good choice of laser. If you have larger pupils and thick enough corneas, consider the Bosch and Lomb Technolas 217, altho it is not yet FDA approved in the U.S. Summit Autonomous is another possibility. The small beam flying spot machines seem to do slightly better at achieving 20/20 statistically than the broad beam types. The key is finding a doc who has hundreds of corrections like yours under his belt and who will do enhancements. Any center which won't do enhancements should be avoided, imho. You will undoubtedly need them. Whoever you choose, be sure they use good nomograms, allow for adequate regression, and have a tracker on the laser. And one other caution. If you have dry eyes, dont even consider lasik. Good luck.