Health & Medical

Lasik Surgery

Phil Campbell, M.D.and Les Cunningham, M.D.  (Web Site: http://www.ccteyes.com/laser-center.html)

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  1. I wanted to know what is the youngest age you do Lasik on? My son who is starting high school has had contacts since he was in 3rd grade and his eyes have changed every year except this year and his perscription stayed the same. Will he have to wait until he is an adult or can he get it while a teenager? Sincerely, Angela - Angela from Cleveland, TN
    18 years old is the youngest; but you should have a stable (non-changing) refraction for at least three years. Little changes are OK; but large change   » more
    18 years old is the youngest; but you should have a stable (non-changing) refraction for at least three years. Little changes are OK; but large changes means that you might increase your chance of needing an enhancement procedure later. Hope this helps. Thanks, WCS   « less
  2. I have recently, and I mean within the past few months, developed pronounced myopia in my left eye only. I have anxiety issues which lead me to obsess somewhat about this and I wonder if it's not worse in my mind, but I am concerned about what to do. I have reservations about wearing a single contact lens in one eye because I don't want to do anything that is going to make my eye weaker over the long run (glasses and contacts do that, right?). - Anonymous from Knoxville
    I need some more information; especially how old you are. The most common reason for myopia is either age (ie: teen) or a cataract. Wearing a contact   » more
    I need some more information; especially how old you are. The most common reason for myopia is either age (ie: teen) or a cataract. Wearing a contact will not make your eye weaker; that is a wives tale. Hope this helps. WCS   « less
  3. I had Lasik done on both eyes 5 yrs ago. For the past 2 months, my eyes get blurry at times, and it feels like dirt in my eyes. My sight is changing and I can't see things as clear at a distance. What is going on ? Isn't Lasik something that lasts forever? Can Lasik be done over after 5 yrs? - Anonymous from Knoxville, Tn
    Most likely the feeling of "dirt" or "forign body" is a direct relation to having dry eyes. Dry eyes can also make your vision blurry at distance and   » more
    Most likely the feeling of "dirt" or "forign body" is a direct relation to having dry eyes. Dry eyes can also make your vision blurry at distance and for near; but usually fluctuates. I would try some over the counter artificial tears to see if this improves your symptoms. Lasik usually does last forever; but there are times when it might have to be "tuned up" with a lasik enhancement ( this will not help dry eyes ) and yes; lasik can be done any time after the surgery depending on the thickness of your cornea. Thanks, Colby Stewart, MD, FACS 866-394-2020   « less
  4. I had lasik surgery 9 days ago. I got monovision. The next day I had 20/20 vision. The day after surgery there was some inflammation in the right eye (which was my distance vision eye) and was told to increase my steroid drops and return in 3 days. When I returned in 3 days the inflammation was better, but my distance vision was worse. Today my near vision is great, but my distance vision is continuing to get worse. Is this normal? My distance vision is worse than prior to surgery. - Lorrie from King William, VA
    This is a hard one to answer; and i would really need more information and your current refraction. It is possible that you have had a shift or change   » more
    This is a hard one to answer; and i would really need more information and your current refraction. It is possible that you have had a shift or change in your refraction making the right eye slightly more near sighted, making it more blurry in the distance. This also could be related to the inflammation and possibly dry eyes. Would have it examined. thanks, Colby Stewart, MD   « less
  5. I just had lasik surgery done with intralase. I had astigmatism and wore reading glasses. I was told I would still need reading glasses. Now since I've had the surgery (1 week ago) I can see fine distance wise (still adjusting) but can't see my hand in front of me. Even before I had the lasik done, I could see in the mirror to put on makeup and see my hand. I can't see ANYTHING up close without readers on. Is something wrong? Or will this adjust itself. If I had known I couldn't see close up I would have totally rethought this issue. I have to put the readers on for EVERYTHING like checking store labels, prices, painting my nails - so far haven't had to deal with makeup yet, but I can't see into the mirror. Is this going to improve? Right now after 6 days my vision is 20/20 & 20/30. Please give me some info. I feel like I made the biggest mistake of my life. - Jennifer Ann Towner from Klamath FAlls, Oregon
    If you are over 40; and you have both eyes set up for distance; you will need reading glasses for everything up close. That is the trade off, and this   » more
    If you are over 40; and you have both eyes set up for distance; you will need reading glasses for everything up close. That is the trade off, and this should have been explained to you in detail. In my office we have our patients sign a waiver that says they know that they will lose the ability to read without glasses; but will gain the ability to see in the distance without glasses. You can always try monovision to help decrease your dependency on glasses. Hope this helps. thanks, Colby Stewart, MD   « less
  6. I am 21 and my eyes are still getting worse. Right now my contacts are at -5 and -4.75, so it's not that bad yet. I've heard that your eyes have to "level out" before you can get lasik sugery. Is this true? If so, is there an average age that your eyes stop getting worse for a while? Or does it depend on each person's individual eyes? - Carolyn from Maryville, TN
    Depends on the person's individual eyes; but there is a very little difference in 4.75 and 5. I think you would most likely benifit from lasik. thank   » more
    Depends on the person's individual eyes; but there is a very little difference in 4.75 and 5. I think you would most likely benifit from lasik. thanks Colby Stewart, MD   « less
  7. Two years after Lasik surgery can I use regular eye drops like Visine for dry and itchy allergy eyes? - Susan from Clinton Twp. MI
    Yes. You can. thanks, Colby Stewart, MD, FACS
    Yes. You can. thanks, Colby Stewart, MD, FACS
  8. I had original lasik 1999. Enhancement on right eye 2003. Laser was off center and had no vision in that eye from that time on. Went to other dr. and had several more surgeries. Detached retina in left eye. Was very nearsighte before orig. surgery. Had to have holes lasered prior to first surgery in left eye (lattice degeneration.) Lasik was done 6-wks later in that eye. I have two eyes that don't seem to go together. I can only see good outside especially if sunny day. Mornings and dreary, rainy days I plan on not seeing hardly anything. I have tried readers, but not much help. I also had a cataract removed in left eye which only made it worse. Glasses that have been made for me don't help. I do know the original flaps were cut too small which immediately gave me halos and glares at night. I battle every day to see. Am female, 55 years of age. Is there anything that can be done for me or will I have to remain this way the rest of my life. - Nancy from Waverly, Ohio
    Don't know. Would like to see you in the office to do a complete exam. We would have an answer then. thanks, Colby Stewart, MD
    Don't know. Would like to see you in the office to do a complete exam. We would have an answer then. thanks, Colby Stewart, MD
  9. I have been told that I have some what of a lazy right eye. My vision has decreased in it considerably the last couple years. Is there anything that can be done to correct it. If it is lazy I myself or no one else notices it. It's just blurry at far distances when I cover the good eye. I need my vision as my employer says we have to maintain 20/40 vision in both eyes. Last time checked I was 20/50 on the right. What do I do. - bush from Chattanooga tn
    Come by and see us. We will see if we can correct it to the best possible vision. EIther with or without lasik. Thanks, Colby Stewart, MD 866-394-   » more
    Come by and see us. We will see if we can correct it to the best possible vision. EIther with or without lasik. Thanks, Colby Stewart, MD 866-394-2020   « less
  10. I have problems with seeing distance and I wear as of last year I now wear readers. Does lasik usally fix a situation like this? - gg from Austin, Tx
    I think I understand your question. If you are nearsighted then you can usually see up close when you take your glasses off; but you will need the gla   » more
    I think I understand your question. If you are nearsighted then you can usually see up close when you take your glasses off; but you will need the glasses to see clearly in the distance. If you are over 40; you will start to need bifocals, or reading glasses; or if your near sighted, you can take your glasses off. LASIK can fix the distance vision; but cannot fix the normal aging process of the eyes; thus you will continue to need some form of reading glasses (assuming you are over 40 - if your not over 40- you will be able to see in the distance and up close after LASIK). Hope this helps   « less
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