Blog Hero

Can LASIK Fix Astigmatism?

Book Appointment
A male surgeon prepping a woman for laser eye surgery
A male surgeon prepping a woman for laser eye surgery

LASIK, defined as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, has been around since 1998. Since then, the procedure has skyrocketed in popularity, and more than 10 million people worldwide have had LASIK surgery to correct refractive errors.

LASIK is a procedure that takes only minutes, has a short recovery time, and can change how you see life, literally, not figuratively. If that doesn’t convince you, let the leading LASIK surgeon in South Carolina explain the benefits of choosing LASIK for fixing your astigmatism.  

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common vision condition that develops when the front surface of your eye (cornea) or the lens inside is not evenly curved. The shape of a normal eye is like a basketball–round, and with astigmatism, it is like a football–oval.

This irregular curvature prevents light from focusing on your retina. The main symptoms of astigmatism are blurred images or distorted vision, where these images have a wavy appearance or indistinct edges. 

Astigmatism is a refractive error. A smooth and evenly curved cornea and lens allow light to enter the eye and focus it on the retina. In astigmatism, the cornea and lens aren’t smooth or evenly curved, affecting the refraction of light on the retina. 

Astigmatism occurs in approximately 1 in 3 people. It can also occur with other refractive eye conditions such as:

  • Nearsightedness: also called myopia, where you see objects or images in the distance as blurry.
  • Farsightedness: also called hyperopia, where you can’t focus on objects or images close up but can see them far away. 


There are two main types of astigmatism:

  1. Corneal astigmatism: the shape of the cornea is distorted
  2. Lenticular astigmatism: the shape of the lens is distorted

Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment of Astigmatism

Astigmatism is common and can occur in children and adults. You may not realize you have astigmatism, but it can cause a wide range of visual problems:

  • Blurry or distorted vision
  • Eyestrain or squinting 
  • Eye discomfort or irritation
  • Headaches

Symptoms can differ from person to person, and not all of the above symptoms are only characteristic of astigmatism. Consult an eye doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms.  

Astigmatism, diagnosed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, usually involves a comprehensive eye examination. The exam includes a visual acuity test–reading letters on the eye chart, a refraction test, and Keratometry, which measures the cornea’s curvature. 

Corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses treat mild to moderate astigmatism. Rigid contact lenses help correct the curvature of the cornea. 
Not too keen on long-term glasses and contact lenses to correct your astigmatism? There is another option called vision correction surgery.

A surgeon looking at a woman's eyes before they perform laser eye surgery

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK is a type of refractive eye surgery for the treatment of astigmatism. It works by using a laser to correct the shape of the cornea.  

You can be eligible for LASIK, depending on several factors:

  • Vision measurements: are measured in diopters. Diopters are units used to measure the correction or focusing power your eye lens requires. 
  • Cornea thickness: sufficient thickness is needed to create a flap in the cornea, remove tissue, and reshape the cornea. 
  • Stability: a person’s vision must be stable for at least 12 months before surgery. 
  • Health: overall good health with no underlying conditions or diseases. 

The procedure is an outpatient one where the patient is awake. You may receive a mild sedative to calm the body. Numbing eye drops are to stabilize the eyes during the procedure. 

A laser precisely cuts a flap in the cornea. The surgeon then folds back this flap, reshapes the underlying cornea, and folds the cornea back into place. The flap heals over time, and vision recovery is usually in a few days. LASIK can treat both eyes at the same time. 

Benefits of Having LASIK Eye Surgery

If you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery, the many benefits outweigh having to wear long term corrective glasses and contact lenses:

  1. Safety: with laser, there are no blade-related complications.
  2. Corrects vision: approximately 90% of people who undergo LASIK restore their vision between 20/20 and 20/40. 
  3. Precision: the precision of a computer-controlled laser ensures accurate flap alignment and accuracy. 
  4. Individualized procedure: the entire LASIK process caters to the patient’s individual needs, from flap creation to ablation (removing of tissue). 

Speak with Your Eye Doctor

Astigmatism is not only treated with prescription eyeglasses and contacts. LASIK is another option and a popular way to fix the visual problems from astigmatism and other refractive errors. 
Discuss any questions around astigmatism with your eye doctor and whether you make a good candidate. Let Carolina Eyecare Physicians offer you the highest caliber of care with your sight in mind.

Written by admin

More Articles By admin

Locations

We have several convenient locations throughout South Carolina. Please view the nearest location to you or get directions below. 

    See Our Google Reviews

    News

    Glaucoma and Exercise: Safe and Effective Workouts for Eye Health

    Glaucoma

    Glaucoma is an underestimated disease: most people don’t realize its impact on day-to-day life. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of blindness. Despite advances in better diagnostics and treatment through the years, 15% of those diagnosed with glaucoma may still report progressive vision loss.  Regardless, maintaining good eye health is always crucial. […]

    Read More…

    August 16, 2023
    useye

    Why Ignoring Dry Eye Symptoms Can Harm Your Vision

    Dry Eye

    The eye is an incredibly delicate organ that deserves our best attention and care. But when many of us live with the gift of sight on a regular basis, we overlook the symptoms of dry eye. Instead, that light irritation is dismissed as temporary discomfort—a passing “phase.” In reality, ignoring dry eye symptoms can have […]

    Read More…

    July 26, 2023
    useye

    Why LASIK? Definition, Uses, Benefits

    LASIK

    Picture this: you wake up in the morning to a crystal-clear world. No more reaching for glasses or squinting to see the details. With LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), this ultimate solution corrects vision problems to make seeing clearly a reality. **The information provided in this blog on LASIK treatment is for general informational purposes […]

    Read More…

    June 27, 2023
    useye
    Glaucoma Treatment

    Glaucoma is an underestimated disease: most people don’t realize its impact on day-to-day life. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of blindness. Despite advances in better diagnostics and treatment through the years, 15% of those diagnosed with glaucoma may still report progressive vision loss.  Regardless, maintaining good eye health is always crucial. […]

    Read More…

    Dry Eye Symptoms and Treatment

    The eye is an incredibly delicate organ that deserves our best attention and care. But when many of us live with the gift of sight on a regular basis, we overlook the symptoms of dry eye. Instead, that light irritation is dismissed as temporary discomfort—a passing “phase.” In reality, ignoring dry eye symptoms can have […]

    Read More…

    Laser Treatment for Eyes

    Picture this: you wake up in the morning to a crystal-clear world. No more reaching for glasses or squinting to see the details. With LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), this ultimate solution corrects vision problems to make seeing clearly a reality. **The information provided in this blog on LASIK treatment is for general informational purposes […]

    Read More…

    Check us out on Instagram

    We are a proud partner of US Eye, a leading group of patient-centric, vertically integrated multi-specialty physician practices providing patients with care in ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology, audiology, and cosmetic facial surgery.

    instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax