Can LASIK treat astigmatism?

If you are nearsighted or farsighted, at least you can see clearly at some distance. If you have astigmatism, things are always blurry, whether up close or at a distance. Depending on the astigmatism prescription and symmetry between the two eyes, many patients with uneven astigmatism between the two eyes do not tolerate wearing glasses or contacts. Therefore, vision correction is a great option to see clearly without irritating contacts or uncomfortable glasses. LASIK and other types of vision correction treatment can correct your astigmatism and let you enjoy clear vision.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error, most commonly due to the shape of the cornea (clear window in front of the eye). If you have astigmatism, your cornea has an abnormal shape. Instead of being round, like an orange, people with astigmatism have an oval shape, like an egg, resulting in light entering your eye having two focal points, which makes images blurry. While science has no clear answers on why some people’s eyes develop this way, the tendency is often inherited. So you can blame mom or dad for your astigmatism.

Two structures in your eye play a role in focusing light to produce a clear image: the cornea and the lens. Laser eye surgery like LASIK uses a computer-guided laser to reshape the cornea to correct for astigmatism. As a result, after treatment incoming light focuses on the retina, forming a clear image.

LASIK can treat astigmatism as well as nearsightedness or farsightedness. It works by creating a flap in the outside layer of your cornea (the epithelium) to access the middle layers (stroma). Depending on the amount of astigmatism, your surgeon may recommend LASIK or other alternative procedures such as SMILE and PRK, all of which can correct astigmatism effectively.

Am I a good candidate for LASIK?

LASIK is the most widely used type of laser vision correction but is not ideal for everyone. Your eye surgeon will decide you are a good candidate for LASIK if:

You are over 18
Your prescription has been stable for over 12 months
You have healthy eyes
Your corneas have a normal shape and thickness
You do not have frequent dry eye problems
You do not play contact sports
Your prescription is in the range that LASIK can treat

People who do not meet these criteria have several other options SMILE laser eye surgery also provides excellent astigmatism correction, and it is safer for some people. EVO Visian ICL is an implantable lens that works very much like a contact lens but requires no maintenance.

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What to Expect After LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

You may start to see improved clarity within a few hours after LASIK. Most people experience some dryness and sensitivity to light that will improve quickly with the use of medicated eye drops. Astigmatism correction with LASIK takes a few weeks to stabilize and settle.

Most people can return to work within a day or two of their procedure. However, you should not rub your eyes or apply eye makeup for a few days. In addition, you make notice temporary halos when driving at night for a few weeks after the procedure.

What results will I see with LASIK for Astigmatism?

People with astigmatism in the range that LASIK treats will see significant improvements in their vision after the procedure. Many will achieve 20/20 vision, and almost all will reduce their need for corrective lenses. Your results can last for many years, although your eyes will continue to age normally.