One thing's for sure about being a reporter: You can go out of your mind trying to get to the heart of the most complex issue and, in the end, trip over the simplest facts. Eyepiece pioneer Al Nagler, CEO of Tele Vue Optics, Inc., pointed that out to me today.

My article about the pros and cons of laser eye surgery appears in the November issue of Astronomy. I enjoy medical reporting, and jumped at the chance to combine astronomy and medical science. I hope I put this complex issue in perspective.

Then there is the caption under the photo of several Nagler DiopTRX corrector lenses. Here's what Al Nagler had to say:

"The Nov. article 'Is Lasik for You?' says that DIOPTRX can only correct astigmatism, not near or far-sightedness. That's misleading, because simply focusing your telescope automatically corrects for near or far-sightedness. So DIOPTRX plus focussing does it all, better than eyeglasses, and indeed, for telescope use, can be an alternative to laser eye surgery." Check out the full Astronomy and S&T reviews at Televue.com."

Wish I would have said it better myself. Just one qualification, though. People with extreme hyperopia or myopia might not be able to "dial out" their entire refractive error. But for many, many people with astigmatism as well as hyperopia or myopia, pairing a Nagler DiopTRX with a few turns of the telescope focuser will provide a perfectly clear view.

Sorry Al!