I have been to two doctors for initial exams for Lasik. Both doctors said I would be a good candidate but one raised a concern about my pupil size. My prescription is –2.00 in both and low astigmatism: right +0.25 and left 0; pupil size: (per the second dr.) right 7.4mm, left 7.8mm Blue eyes.
The first dr (my regular ophthalmologist) didn’t have any reservations about doing it. I seem to recall some mention of my pupil size being “in range” but I just don’t recall that much of a discussion about it. They use the VISX S3.
The second dr I saw measured pupil size as right 7.4mm, left 7.8mm. He used an infrared device in a dark room. This second dr. raised a small concern over large pupil size (he even got a different, larger measurement than the technician). He stressed that with my low prescription and very little astigmatism, I would probably breeze through. They use the VISX S3 and Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217.
The second dr recommended this website so I’ve been learning more but am becoming a bit dismayed at all the info about transition zones, the various lasers, etc. Should I even worry about this given my low correction? Should I opt for one laser over another? I am getting a third opinion to see what they say, if anything, about my pupil size.
Thanks.

>I have been to two doctors for
>initial exams for Lasik. Both
>doctors said I would be a
>good candidate but one raised a
>concern about my pupil size.
>My prescription is –2.00 in both
>and low astigmatism: right +0.25 and
>left 0; pupil size: (per the
>second dr.) right 7.4mm, left 7.8mm
>Blue eyes.The first dr (my regular
>ophthalmologist) didn’t have any reservations about
>doing it. I seem to
>recall some mention of my pupil
>size being “in range” but I
>just don’t recall that much of
>a discussion about it. They
>use the VISX S3.The second dr
>I saw measured pupil size as
>right 7.4mm, left 7.8mm. He
>used an infrared device in a
>dark room. This second dr.
>raised a small concern over large
>pupil size (he even got a
>different, larger measurement than the technician).
> He stressed that with my
>low prescription and very little astigmatism,
>I would probably breeze through.
>They use the VISX S3 and
>Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217.The second
>dr recommended this website so I’ve
>been learning more but am becoming
>a bit dismayed at all the
>info about transition zones, the various
>lasers, etc. Should I even
>worry about this given my low
>correction? Should I opt for
>one laser over another? I
>am getting a third opinion to
>see what they say, if anything,
>about my pupil size.Thanks.

You are doing the right thing by getting several opinions. I think the pupil size can be very improtant but I would agree that the lower your correction, the less improtant it becomes. If you go to my web page at www.drsalz.com I have a link to an article about pupil size I recently published that may explain my reasoning and my rather rare philosphy of always only doing one eye at a time, non domiant, so you can evaluate your satisfaction befor you commit to doing the dominant eye. You should insist on doing it this way no matter which laser you select. With our Ladarvision, I would probably treat you with a 7.5 mm zone and a 1mm blend zone and I would expect you to do fine, but you may also do fine with the Visx S3 or the B&L. Good luck.
Dr. Salz, Los Angeles