Can LASIK Correct Astigmatism?

To simulate vision with astigmatism, think of looking through a glass of water with an uneven surface or a funhouse mirror. The irregularities in the cornea or lens that cause astigmatism can lead to a range of visual distortions and discomforts that impact daily life, especially if not properly managed or corrected. Objects at a distance typically appear blurry or stretched in a particular direction, straight lines look wavy or uneven and fine details such as small text or intricate patterns can be challenging to see clearly. Unlike normal vision, where light focuses at a single point on the retina, astigmatism can cause light to focus on multiple points, either in front of, behind or directly on the retina. This can result in “ghosting” or shadow images around objects. Because the eye must focus harder to work correctly, squinting, eye strain and occasional headaches are not uncommon. 

Corneal astigmatism is the most common form, caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. The cornea is normally spherical, like a basketball, but with astigmatism, it is more elliptical, like a football. Lenticular astigmatism occurs due to an irregular shape in the lens of the eye. Even if the cornea is correctly shaped, an irregular lens can still cause astigmatism. Mixed astigmatism is a type of astigmatism where there are 2 different types of refractive errors present in the same eye. Specifically, it involves both myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness) in different meridians of the eye. For instance, one axis might be nearsighted while the perpendicular axis is farsighted. Mixed astigmatism is less common than simple astigmatism (either corneal or lenticular) but is still a recognized condition.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular refractive surgery used to correct astigmatism, along with other vision issues like myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). The LASIK procedure begins with the creation of a thin flap in the cornea’s outer layer. This flap is typically created using a femtosecond laser or a microkeratome. The flap acts as a natural bandage, promoting healing and minimizing discomfort. The surgeon lifts the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissue (stroma). A computer-guided excimer laser is then used to reshape the corneal stroma. The laser emits a cool ultraviolet light beam that precisely removes microscopic amounts of tissue from the cornea. For astigmatism, the cornea’s irregular shape causes light to focus unevenly on the retina. The excimer laser smooths and reshapes the cornea to a more regular, symmetrical shape. This allows light entering the eye to focus more accurately on the retina, resulting in clearer vision. The flap is carefully repositioned over the treated area and serves as a protective measure while the eye heals. Most patients experience improved vision within 1-2 days with full stabilization of vision occurring over several weeks to months.

To learn more about correcting astigmatism with LASIK, visit WEBSITE. To schedule a consultation to see if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK, call Correct Vision laser Institute at 954-442-1133.