Approx. -5.0 mypic in each eye, I was judged a good lasik candidate for January surgery. While I hadn't needed reading glasses up to that point, I was aware that I would probably need to begin using them after the surgery. I am female and 47.

The corneal ring was placed on my first eye, the right eye, and my opthamologist encountered an "irregularity" in the flap created by the scapel cut. The dr. recommended that we stop the procedure, let the cornea heal three months and return for the procedure then for both eyes. We did not attempt the lasik procedure on my left eye.

It's now 3 months later and my recent pre-op exam reveals what I have known: the close-up vision in my right eye has GREATLY deteriorated. I did not require reading glasses previously and I now cannot read AT ALL clearly out of my right eye; I believe the eye chart I read suggested a 3x or 4x correction for that eye. My long-distance vision in that eye has not changed. My left eye which was not touched is, of course, fine for close-up and distance reading.

He told me he DOES NOT KNOW WHY this has occurred unless the pressure of the corneal ring caused damage to the muscles that control the lens' focus. His recommendation is to wait another 6 weeks, see if there's been a change and move forward with the procedure if everything seems to have stabilized.

Quesions:
1) Why do you think this situation has occurred? Have you ever seen this occur before?
2) If his theory is correct, will my left eye change to this same extent as the right eye once I have the full lasik procedure done?
3) Should I expect further deterioration of the close-up vision in my right eye upon a follow-up lasik procedure when the corneal ring, once again, is suctioned onto my eye?
4) Am I still a good lasik candidate?
5) Should I get a 2nd opinion and, if so, how can I find the right specialist?

Thank you in advance for your time! I'm sure you understand my vision concerns!

--Marnie