I have heard that Canada is far ahead of us in performing Lasik eye surgery, and we should go to Canada for it because the cost is less and the eye surgeons have more experience plus the latest procedures. Can you comment? -- Helaine Rocket
Our FDA is very tough when it comes to getting devices approved, and for a while, Canada was able to do some laser procedures before they were available in the U.S., but this is rare now. I doubt if it is much cheaper in Canada because of the declining value of the U.S. dollar.
Is there a best age for which to have surgery? -- Debra Dolly, Clinton, Mo.
Age isn't as important as stability of vision. You need a couple of years with essentially the same prescription and that usually happens for most people in the mid-20s. I have operated on 70-year-olds and even -- rarely -- on 18-year-olds. For someone that young, they have to have records showing exactly the same prescription for four years. For the most part, we don't do Lasik on children, but there have been some unusual circumstances.
