Can LASIK Fix Astigmatism?

If you’ve been told by your eye doctor that you have astigmatism, you might be worried about what it means and whether or not it can be corrected. Luckily, this is a vision condition that is typically on the less serious side of the spectrum and often able to be fixed. Many people with astigmatism have also heard information from a variety of sources about their ability to get LASIK if they have the condition. Here are the facts, along with why LASIK might be a great option for you if you have astigmatism.

What is Astigmatism?

While many folks have only heard of astigmatism as if it’s a singular condition, there are actually two common types. A corneal astigmatism is when the cornea is irregularly shaped, while a lenticular astigmatism is when the shape of the lens is irregular. Either way, the symptoms are often the same. The most common symptom is a distortion of vision both with distant objects and those that are close to you. Sometimes those with astigmatism may also experience eyestrain, headaches, and eye discomfort, or they may notice they are automatically squinting throughout the day in order to minimize the blurriness.

It’s very common to be born with astigmatism, although it can also be developed after an eye surgery, eye disease, or eye injury. Either way, it’s not fun to deal with and most individuals who suffer with it are keen to find a way to get rid of it. This is where LASIK laser eye surgery can come in…

Can LASIK Fix Astigmatism?

There is some misinformation out there about whether or not LASIK and astigmatism can go hand-in-hand. The truth is that astigmatism is often successfully corrected by LASIK laser eye surgery, as the procedure serves to reshape the cornea, thus bringing the shape back to what it should be. As long as your astigmatism is mild to moderate, it’s very likely that you’re a great candidate for LASIK (as long as you meet the other criteria too, of course). So what’s the next step? Be sure to check out this post about questions you should ask before getting LASIK, and then schedule an appointment with an eye doctor so you can find out their professional opinion.