I have worn glasses since I was 8 years old. I am farsighted and have +4 in each eye (according to several eye tests, this number is higher for both eyes but my brain doesn't accept the higher numbers). I went to Millenium/TLC to find out if I was a good candidate for the lasik surgery. After two tests, the told that very clearly that I wasn't. Before the second test @ TLC, I went to Lasik Plus and after an extensive and long test, they told me I was a perfect candidate. How can the results be so different? I am thinking of getting a third opinion but I am scare to death to go ahead with the procedure. Please help!

I'm sure someone will -if this is indeed the case. I'd like to say please be careful and proceed with caution. Apparently you are doctor shopping, looking for a reason to HAVE surgery when you've been told you aren't a good candidate.

Mistakes are usually not fixable. You cannot undo lasik.

if you doctor shop enough, youll find one who will do lasik even though your a poor candidate. There may be many valad reasons why you werent considered a good candidate. I suggest you ask that doctor WHY you arent a candidate.

Your prescription indicates significant hyperopia (farsighted) vision. This is not easily corrected with Lasik. You may be a candidate, but you would not be an ideal candidate.

You may want to read http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/hyperopia.htm

Glenn Hagele
http://USAEyes.org
Lasik Patient Advocacy & Surgeon Certification

I am not a doctor.

Janet.....As a +5 lasik survivor, I can tell you that doing lasik on +4 may yield acceptable results for you if done by a very experienced h-lasik surgeon. It all depends on your level of expectations. If high quality sharp 20/20 is important to you, the odds are higher that your final outcome may be compromised in ways that may be disappointing. Like loss of BCVA (best corrected visual accuity), loss of contrast sensitivity and induced astigmatism that increases glare. That can be particularly noticeable at night from light sources, making driving more difficult. I am not saying any of these will occur, its just that the odds are higher that they could.

If your refraction measurements suggest numbers higher than +4, the cause may be additional lenticular refraction that the cycloplegic test (pupils fully dilated) is not completely revealing. I also had this issue. You should get a third opinion from an opthalmologist who specializes in RS for hyperopia rather than trusting clinics that only do lasik. They may suggest that CL extraction would give you better more predictable and stable results than conventional lasik. That's basically the same as a cataract operation where they remove your clear lens and replace it with a plastic lens with the appropriate offsetting amount of plus power to give you a net plano refraction and 20/20 vision.

I had my lasik done in Fairfax in 1999. I can give you an excellent reference off list if you are interested.

I would suggest that you find out the reason why you have been rejected as a candidate. It is not always dependent on numbers alone. We have done LASIK on numbers as high as + 5.50 D with good results but have rejected some with smaller errors due to reasons related to dry eyes, or information from the topolyser. We are using the Wavelight Eye Q [400 Hz] laser with good results for higher refractive errors. Any further query is welcome, more details on
www.lasikindia.in
Dr Shroff, MD