At my LASIK consultation, both my pupil sizes were measured at 8mm with the pupilometer. Have any surgeons at 'Ask Lasik Doctors' performed LASIK on patients with pupil sizes => 8mm and what were the outcomes? Which laser do you recommend and why? What optical zone would you recommend using? Prescription -3.75 -1.25

With newer software, the risk of serious night time problems for patients with large pupils and low levels of myopia has decreased significantly. The key is for the optical zone to be as large as the night time pupil size.
The Autonomous laser can be set up so that it can provide an 8.0mm optical zone (along with a transition zone). Dr. Barrie Soloway in Manhattan has reported on the effectiveness of this laser on patients with large pupils.
The VISX laser now has an 8.2mm transition zone. For the first diopter of treatment, the optical zone is essentially 8.2mm. After the first diopter of treatment, the additional treatment is at the 6.5mm optical zone. Dr. Manus Kraff of Chicago has reported to me that in his experience with the 6.5mm optical zones with the 8.2mm transition zone - patients with myopia with minimal astigmatism have not had significant night time problems.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Bill Trattler, MD

Dr. Trattler,

Thank you very much for the detailed information. I'm currently located in Tampa, FL - could you provide a recommendation for a Lasik surgeon. I've received information that Dr. Robin at TLC has performed over 14,000 Lasik procedures.

Thanks again,
Marc

You should visit a few doctors and get a feel as to which doctor you feel most comfortable with. Do not rate surgeons on number of surgeries alone. Obviously Dr. Robin is a respected and well-known LASIK surgeon - but deciding who to have surgery with should be based on your meeting with a few doctors and finding out as much as possible about them and as well about yourself and your suitability for LASIK.

Best of luck

Bill Trattler,MD
Miami,FL