If you have astigmatism and you have been thinking about LASIK, you might have wondered whether your prescription rules you out. The good news is that many people with astigmatism can be candidates for LASIK. Whether it’s right for you depends on your prescription, the health of your eyes, and measurements that are taken during an eye exam.
Perhaps you have worn contacts for years and are ready for a change, or maybe you simply want to know whether the procedure is something worth looking at for you. Either way, astigmatism on its own is not a reason to assume the answer is going to be no.
Understanding Astigmatism
Astigmatism is very common. It happens when the cornea, the clear front surface of your eye, has an uneven curve. This means that light does not focus evenly on the retina, which can make vision look blurry or distorted at different distances.
Astigmatism can develop at any age and is often present from childhood.
How LASIK Can Help
LASIK works by using a laser to reshape the cornea so that the light focuses more accurately across the retina. It can correct certain types and degrees of astigmatism, though the results will always depend on the eyes of the individual.
The goal here is to create a more even focusing surface while preserving the health of the cornea. Your surgeon will determine whether the planned correction falls within a suitable range for you. If you’re interested, you can learn more about the procedure on our LASIK surgery page.
Am I A Good Candidate For LASIK?
Your prescription should also be stable, since significant changes in your vision may affect whether LASIK is appropriate. Your cornea needs to be healthy and thick enough to be suitable for LASIK. As well as this, the degree and type of astigmatism that a person has does matter, as irregular astigmatism may need a different approach.
Overall eye health is another factor, as dry eye or corneal conditions may need attention first.
This is why a comprehensive evaluation is important. Measurements help assess your eyes beyond your prescription, and the evaluation gives you a chance to ask questions, talk through the possible benefits and limitations, and understand any alternatives if LASIK is not a good idea.
Being a candidate for this is about more than having a treatable prescription, as safety and realistic expectations should always come first.
Could I Rely Less On Glasses Or Contacts?
LASIK could reduce everyday reliance on contacts or glasses, but it cannot completely eliminate the need for them in some cases.
LASIK corrects your prescription at the time of treatment, but it cannot prevent future vision changes, including age-related changes that may require glasses.
Find Out What’s Right For Your Eyes
If you’re in Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. Danny Lee and Laser Eye Center can help you explore your options for laser vision correction. A personalized evaluation can help determine what treatment is right for you, so get in touch with Laser Eye Center now to request a consultation with Dr. Danny Lee.