I had LASIK treatment on the 13th of Nov, the surgeon had a lot of trouble getting the retainer in, he said I had small eyes which made it painful. Suction was applied and the cut started - Then it was all over the procedure was abandoned. It was explained to me that suction had be lost and the surgeon wasn't going to do anymore. I understand what a short flap is, but what I don't understand is why the cut was made around the pupil and not the iris. Could you please help me to understand this, as I am a little nervous of having it done again.

Regards
Sarah Scott (Edinburgh, Scotland)

I am assuming the flap was centered on the pupil like usual, which means that a short flap would not cross the pupil enough for treatment to take place. Since the flap did not cross the pupil, it is around it. Remember the following, the pupil is the central opening in the iris and that both the iris and pupil lie underneath the cornea, where the flap is made. I hope this helps. As for retreatment, you need to wait for about three months before you attempt treatment again and your surgeon will probably have a different approach to get suction on your small eye openings.

Patrick Chin, MD
Westwood, NJ