Medically Reviewed by Jack Abrams, MD
For some people, poor eyesight has been a lifelong nuisance that they’ve learned to cope with. Others experience diminishing sharpness with age. If you’re in the latter group, the day comes when things go from not so sharp to a little scary.
Our vision directly impacts all areas of our life. Equally significant is how we correct, cope, and prevent worsening vision. For example, if we choose to wear prescription glasses or contacts, or if we decide to ignore changes in the way we see, we will need to adapt our lifestyles: the time of day we do things, the sports we play, we gain new expenses long-term or short-term; our posture, our setup at work, our personal device settings and more. The list is endless and different for everyone. You get the point.
We hope this article encourages you to examine your vision and consider LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism while you qualify. As ophthalmologists, we take our patients’ eye health seriously. If you are astigmatic, LASIK surgery for astigmatism can dramatically improve your eyesight and potentially give you perfect visual acuity.
LASIK Defined
LASIK is an acronym for Laser in Situ Keratomileusis. It is a laser-assisted surgical procedure for correcting myopic refractive errors, such as astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia. LASIK and astigmatism go hand in hand, as LASIK is designed to change the shape of the cornea to eliminate or reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses. It is the most common laser eye surgery procedure.
LASIK works by changing the corneal curvature to refract light as it should, making it an ideal permanent procedure for refractive error.
But, if you’re wondering if you can get LASIK with astigmatism, the answer is “Yes.” Most times, it can! (But we’ll come back to that a little later).
The Benefits of LASIK
You can reap many benefits if you are a good fit for this procedure. To determine your LASIK eligibility, you’ll need to consult with an eye-care professional who will evaluate your eyes and vision. They’ll also discuss the pros and cons of LASIK so you can figure out if it’s something you’d like to pursue.
The main reason so many people turn to LASIK with astigmatism is that it may improve their vision to the point where they no longer need glasses or contacts. If their vision changes because of age, they might undergo the procedure again to return their vision to an optimal state after vision stabilization.
Another perk of LASIK is the speed of results. Once the surgery is complete, you can notice clearer vision within hours, although full LASIK recovery may take longer. There aren’t any stitches or bandages to worry about, and there’s hardly any downtime. Your doctor may allow you to return to most of your normal daily activities in a day or two.
What if your prescription is very high, measured in diopters? While you may not achieve perfect 20/20 vision from LASIK, you will substantially reduce your dependence on reading glasses and the prescription you need to see clearly. So, even with a high prescription, this surgery can work wonders for you.
Can You Undergo LASIK for Astigmatism?
Every patient is unique, so LASIK surgery for astigmatism is not a blanket solution for everyone. However, if you have astigmatism, LASIK may correct it permanently.
With astigmatism, the cornea of the eye is shaped more like a football than a basketball. LASIK with astigmatism could be a great way to get to the root of your vision issues by fixing the shape of the cornea through cornea reshaping.
Note: Depending on the severity of your astigmatism, you might need more than one LASIK surgery for astigmatism to correct the problem. However, if there isn’t a high degree of astigmatism, one session may fully correct your vision.
What Other Refractive Conditions Can LASIK Treat?
Whether you have been diagnosed with nearsightedness (trouble seeing objects that are far away), farsightedness (difficulty seeing objects that are nearby), or astigmatism (trouble seeing objects that are nearby and far away), LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism might be the ideal solution for your vision.
Why might LASIK be the best eye surgery for astigmatism?
LASIK surgery for astigmatism may be the best laser eye surgery because astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness can be corrected by surgically changing the shape of the cornea.
Keep in mind that there are instances in which LASIK is not the recommended eye surgery.
Here are some examples:
- You have dry eyes
- Your cornea is thin or inflamed
- Your pupils are very big
- You are extremely nearsighted
- Your vision has changed because of age, hormones, pregnancy, or medications
- You have a weakened immune system or an autoimmune disease
- You have been diagnosed with an eyelid disorder, eye disease, or eye injury
What to Expect During LASIK
LASIK and astigmatism treatments are so popular because they are quick procedures that are done on an outpatient basis. The procedure often takes about a half-hour or less, with most of that time spent preparing for the surgery.
Although you will be awake during surgery, your eyes will be numb so that you won’t feel anything. Take specific steps that help relax you. But if you can’t, some ophthalmologists might prescribe a medication like Valium to help put you at ease.
To give you a better idea of what to expect before, during, and after LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism, below is a summary of what happens from start to finish:
- You’ll need to book an appointment to thoroughly examine your eyes, including a refraction test and keratometry. For a more accurate astigmatism diagnosis, your doctor may advise that you stop wearing contact lenses for a specified time before the examination. The use of contacts changes the shape of the cornea.
- On surgery day, you’ll sit in a reclining chair. Next, we apply numbing eye drops to numb your eyeballs, and a special instrument holds open your eyelids. Your LASIK surgeon may have you look at a light so you can keep your eyes as still as possible. Then, the doctor will use a suction ring and either a cutting laser or a blade to cut a corneal flap at the surface of the eye. The flap is folded back so an excimer laser can reshape the cornea. Then, the flap is set back in place so it can heal. After one eye is treated, the other eye is worked on. Some people get LASIK in one eye. If that’s you, your eye surgery is over!
- After LASIK, you might experience post-operative symptoms, known as LASIK side effects. Your eyes might become watery or itchy, burn, or feel as though something gritty is in your eyes. Although your vision may be blurry, it should improve quickly. You may have an entirely clear vision within weeks or months. Talk to your doctor about any eye drops or medications you can take to ease your symptoms during LASIK recovery. Ask about activities you should avoid until your eyes heal.
- Your doctor will recommend a series of follow-up appointments to ensure your eyes are healing properly and your vision is improving.
Find the Right LASIK Las Vegas Providers
Are you ready to be free of glasses and contacts? Do you want a lower prescription for your astigmatism? If you want to find out if LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism is right for you, contact us anytime with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Sources:
“Laser In Situ Keratomileusis” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555970/
“ASTIGMATIC | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary” https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/astigmatic