Question:
I'm 44 and have been wearing glasses for about 20 years for distance
vision. I read books without glasses. Yesterday I went into a Laser
vision correction center that uses "Ladar" (computer controlled
laser). They tested me and said I was a "great" candidate.
1) Does it make sense to pay twice as much to have a computer controll
the laser instead of the Doctor's hand?
2) Is everyone who walks into a laser center a "great" candidate or do
they actually tell some people the surgery is not for them?
Any help would be appreciated Vision Correction Center?
Answer:
A computer *always* controls the laser; it's never hand-held. LADAR is a
system for improved compensation for eye movement. You should get
several opinions as to whether you're a candidate for LASIK, including a
surgeon who is not affiliated with a "LASIK mill," and an optometrist or
two.
A conscientious surgeon will warn you about the risks of defects, bad
outcomes, the limits of the surgery, etc., and will definitely tell you
whether you're a poor candidate. Avoid anyone who uses the phrase "less
than 1%"; avoid any center that won't let you meet *your* surgeon.
