Medically Reviewed by: Edward C. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Can LASIK Correct Astigmatism?
Astigmatism—sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? Despite the alarming name, astigmatism is an extremely common condition. Not only that, but people diagnosed with astigmatism have strong, reliable treatment options, including LASIK laser eye surgery. Here’s what you need to know about astigmatism correction using LASIK surgery.
What is Astigmatism?
The key to learning about astigmatism correction using LASIK is to first understand astigmatism. Astigmatism is a condition caused by a refractive error affecting one or both eyes. In eyes without astigmatism, the cornea is evenly rounded across all areas; in eyes with astigmatism, the corneas are curved unevenly, in a shape similar to a football. This unevenness prevents light from bending properly as it passes through the eye, resulting in blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, and difficulty seeing in low light.
While astigmatism is typically present at birth, it can also appear later in life. Although considered a genetic condition, certain vision factors can indicate an increased risk of astigmatism development, including:
- Scarred or thinning corneas
- Excessive nearsightedness or farsightedness
- Previous eye surgeries (ex. Cataract surgery)
Astigmatism can be easily detected during eye exams whether a person’s astigmatism causes vision loss or not.
How LASIK Eye Surgery Corrects Astigmatism
Were you wondering if LASIK can correct astigmatism? The answer is yes. LASIK in Houston is a procedure that may provide permanent relief from astigmatism and its accompanying blurry, strained vision. (Further reading: How long does laser eye surgery last?)
In LASIK eye surgery, an ultra-precise laser is used to cut and reshape key parts of the eye, restoring and enabling normal function and clearer vision. In the case of astigmatism, LASIK reshapes your uneven corneas, rounding them out so that light passes through properly. However, LASIK for astigmatism is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. The worse your astigmatism is, the more extensive the LASIK procedure may be, which can affect the cost of your procedure. Speak with your doctor to evaluate the extent of your astigmatism and to discuss how it may or may not affect the nature and cost of your treatment.
Can LASIK Eye Surgery Cause Astigmatism?
Surgeries like LASIK and PRK are incredibly successful at treating astigmatism. In fact, in a recent study, more than 95 percent of patients reported complete satisfaction with the results of their astigmatism correction using LASIK eye surgery.
That said, LASIK can occasionally result in irregular astigmatism that will require either contacts or additional surgery to correct. Although this outcome is rare, it may be a good idea to discuss this risk with your doctor prior to making a decision about LASIK eye surgery.
Choosing a Doctor For Your LASIK Eye Surgery
Before deciding on a surgeon, schedule a consultation with them and ascertain their standing on the following essential factors:
- How many LASIK procedures has the surgeon performed?
- Do they back their work with a guarantee or warranty?
- Is their equipment up-to-date or ahead of the curve?
- How does their LASIK surgery cost compare to the quality of treatment?
For more helpful tips and points of consideration, check out our previous blog on how to choose a LASIK eye surgeon.
Find Astigmatism Relief With Houston LASIK Eye Surgeons at Eye Center of Texas
The doctors at Eye Center of Texas have extensive experience treating astigmatism and other vision issues with LASIK eye surgery, PRK, and other state-of-the-art treatment options. For patients who do not meet LASIK eligibility, Eye Center of Texas also offers astigmatism correcting intraocular lens implants. Best of all, at Eye Center of Texas, we back our work with a limited warranty. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with astigmatism and are ready to correct your vision permanently, contact Eye Center of Texas today to discover a treatment plant that’s perfect for you!
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