Astigmatism is the most common refractive error that affects both children and adults. The condition can be mild, with no symptoms or progressive with major effects on your vision.
The good news is that astigmatism is one of the refractive errors that LASIK can treat. Keep reading to learn more about LASIK and how astigmatism works!
Can I Get LASIK with Astigmatism?
LASIK is a laser surgery procedure used to correct astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia. These are refractive errors that affect how the eye can focus light on the retina.
These errors occur because the eye is not shaped correctly. For astigmatism, LASIK reshapes the cornea to allow it to refract light accurately.
LASIK can correct astigmatism permanently. If your condition is severe, you may need follow-up enhancement procedures to gain clearer vision.
What Does LASIK Involve?
LASIK surgery takes about 15 minutes for both eyes. During the procedure, your surgeon creates a thin flap in the top layer of the cornea.
This is done with a femtosecond laser. This allows them to access the inner cornea. The inner cornea is where they remove excess tissue using an excimer laser.
By doing this, your surgeon reshapes the cornea into a suitable round shape. After completing this step, they will then put the flap back in place.
You’ll notice vision improvement soon after the procedure, usually the same day or the next day. Over the next few days or weeks, you may experience dry eyes or other temporary side effects.
Are You A Good Candidate for LASIK?
You’re a good candidate for LASIK if:
- You have healthy eyes without issues like pink eye or dry eye syndrome. The conditions can affect how your eyes heal after surgery and can be a risk for your vision. LASIK can make issues like dry eye worse.
- Your corneas are thick enough. Getting LASIK and having thin corneas can lead to visual consequences or impairment.
- Your vision has been stable for at least a year or more. For LASIK to be successful, your vision needs to remain unchanged for a year or more.
What are Other Treatment Options for Astigmatism?
If you don’t qualify for LASIK because of the severity of your astigmatism, there are other procedures and treatments. These include:
- Glasses with cylindrical lenses that provide clear vision at all distances.
- Contact lenses, which provide a clearer and wider field of view compared to glasses. Toric soft contacts and rigid gas permeable contacts are preferred for astigmatism.
- Orthokeratology, which involves fitting rigid contact lenses for a limited period to reshape the cornea. Patients can wear them overnight, and then remove them in the morning. These lenses provide temporary vision correction. Wearing them means you don’t have to wear prescription glasses or contacts.
For many patients with astigmatism, LASIK is an appropriate procedure. But the only way to know for sure is to schedule a LASIK consultation at Herschel LASIK & Cataract Institute in Orlando, FL!
Why wait if you’ve ever dreamed of visual freedom and saying goodbye to your glasses and contacts? It could become your new reality if you’re a candidate for LASIK!
