I have 8mm pupils and as suggested I looked for a surgeon that uses the Alcon Autonomous Ladarvision Laser. I have two related questions:
1) I've been told that the Ladarvision Laser has an 'Optical Zone' up to 8mm. Is this true?
2) The only surgeon in the Tampa, FL area that uses this Laser is Dr. Leach. Does anyone have any experiences/knowledge of Dr. Leach?

Thank you for all your help!

With 8.0mm pupils, the first question is what level of myopia or hyperopia due you have. The 8.0mm optical zone with the autonomous is with myopia (not hyperopia). As well, the autonomous has a transition zone.
The surgeon can select many different sized optical zones, so please discuss this isssue with your surgeon (whoever you use) - as the surgeon may decide or need to set the optical zone smaller. This is because when a larger optical zone is used (such as an 8.0mm optical zone), the depth of the treatment is almost twice as much.
If you have low degrees of myopia, you can consider treatments with lasers such as the VISX S3, which has an 8.2mm transition zone. For the first diopter of treatment with the VISX, the effective optical zone is actually 8.2mm. But of course, with each additional diopter of treatment, the optical zone is only 6.5mm.

I hope this provides some helpful information. I am glad that you are aware of the issues of large pupils, because they are very important.

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Dr. Trattler,

Thank you very much for help. Not sure if you didn't want to answer or not, but do you have any information on Dr. Leach in Tampa, Florida?

Thanks again!