I am a contact lense wearer with -11.0 and -12.0 vision (no astigmatism) and although I am very cautious about any manipulation of my eyes, it does seem quite attractive to think I could be able to wake up and see the world instead of a blur. My ophthamologist has suggested that I consider LASIK, but a friend of mine whose husband is an ophthamologist in another state told me that I would not be a good candidate because I am too nearsighted. She said there is another similar procedure being investigated that would potentially be more suited to people with myopia greater than -8.0. The procedure she described also required a flap, I believe. Have any of you heard of this and do you have any advise about what kind of results I might expect? By the way, I'm 36 and healthy if that makes a difference.

Another ophthamologist told me that a combination of LASIK and Intacs might be an option. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks for any info and advise-
Lisa

The results for Lasik up to 12 diopters is still
quite good although less predictable. I have
never heard of combining intacs and Lasik and I
don't think it would be a good idea. You would be
combining the risks of both procedures. The
results with intacs is still under study.
Leonard Friedman MD Washington DC ..............
....

Whether you would be a good candidate would also depend on the thickness of your cornea. In general, your doctor is correct that 12 diopters of myopia can be corrected with LASIK. Does your friend in another state do LASIK surgery. I have done LASIK on many patients with your prescription. The combination of LASIK and intacs would not be necessary unless your cornea was too thin. Intacs alone will not correct your prescription. If everything can be treated with one operation then that's the way to go. "less is better"! Discuss this with your ophthalmologist who is the only one who can tell you if you are a candidate since none of us (real or vitual) can examine your eyes
Steven Ofner, M.D.
Eugene, Oregon

Lisa, Dr. Ofner and Dr. Friedman,

What about ICL. Dr. Johnson in Brandon, Fl. told me that I was not an ideal candidate for lasik but told me to speak to a Dr. David Brown in Fort Myers about ICL. What do you all think of ICL. What is the catch? It seems to be a simpler surgery than lasik and not as permanent. If you want to know I am approx -14.5 astig= 1.5 corneas=540 pupils dim=3mm. Thanks Dave

The phakic intraocular lens that Dr. Brown and others put in the eye is very exciting, but is still experimental. On the other hand, laser vision correction has been approved by the FDA up to -12.00, and for LASIK I believe it may be approved to an even higher level.
I have also performed LASIK on patients with -12.0 of myopia, and the patients have been very satisfied with their result. In my opinion, it would be better to have one surgery than try to combine to seperate surgeries.

I hope this is helpful

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

The biggest "catch" to ICL is that we don't know
any long term results. One big worry is that it
may cause early cataract of your natural lens.
Because of the long time it will be in your eye we
don't know how well it will be tolerated and what
other effects it may have.
Discuss these issues with the surgeon you choose.
Leonard Friedm