I have damage to the retina in my left eye due to a blood clot in '97. I have not had any further problems or damage since the original episode. (Clot was due to antiphospholipid antibodies for which I now take aspirin.) BCVA in that eye is 20/60 and 20/20 in right eye. My correction is -12 sph -1 cyl 180 axis left eye, -12 sph -.5 cyl 180 axis right eye. What effect will this retina damage have on my ability to have LASIK or the outcome? (Before you ask......Yes, I do understand that the surgery cannot get my left eye any better than 20/60.) Thank you so much for taking the time to answer not only mine, but all the other questions!

Since there is a risk of a serious complication with LASIK, I personally do not operate on a person with only one good eye. Although the risks are small, if you did have a serious problem in your good eye, you would be left to with your other eye (20/60) as your better eye. You would no longer be able to drive, and you would have major difficulties with many of the things you can do right now.

This is only my opinion, and other doctors may feel differently

Best of luck

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

I agree completly with Dr. Trattler.

I finally spoke directly with the surgeon. He also advised against my have lasik for the very same reasons.

Many thanks to Drs Trattler and Ofner!