Can LASIK Fix Astigmatism?

Are you wondering if you can get LASIK eye surgery to fix astigmatism? The answer is yes. LASIK eye surgery is capable of correcting refractive errors, like astigmatism, which occur when the cornea of the eye is not perfectly symmetrical. A normal cornea looks like a dome, and it allows light to reflect on the back of the eye at a specific point. This results in clear vision.

Individuals, who have an astigmatism, have corneas that are shaped a lot like a football or egg. This causes light to focus on more than one area of the retina, which can cause blurry vision, low night vision, headaches and eyestrain. Luckily, if you’re looking to ditch your glasses or contact lenses, LASIK surgery is capable of correcting most types of astigmatisms.

LASIK for Astigmatism

LASIK stands for Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis. It is a form of laser eye surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea so that light is properly reflected onto the retina. In the case of an astigmatism, the surgery seeks to change the egg-shaped cornea into a dome-shaped cornea by removing excess tissue.

Pros and Cons of LASIK for Astigmatism

LASIK was approved by the FDA for vision correction in 1999, and since then, more than 19 million procedures have been performed. Today, about 600,000 LASIK vision correction procedures are performed in the United States annually. Most individuals who undergo this type of eye treatment have 20/20 vision at the end of the healing period, and 95 percent of individuals are happy with their vision after the procedure.

Pros of LASIK for Astigmatism

• LASIK eye surgery is considered safe and effective.
• 95 percent of individuals who get LASIK surgery end up with 20/20 vision.
• 99 percent of individuals end up with 20/40 vision or better, which means they do not need glasses or contacts to pass a driver’s license eye test.
• It is performed as an outpatient procedure.
• Benefits can typically be seen in as little as 48 hours.

Cons of LASIK for Astigmatism

• It is not typically covered by insurance.
• LASIK isn’t right for everyone.
• It can cause dry eye symptoms for up to three months.
• Some individuals may experience glare at night and halos.
• The flaps in the cornea created by the LASIK surgery can get damaged if the individual is poked in the eye.
• It is possible to get myopic regression and need additional LASIK correction.

Other Solutions for Astigmatism

If you’re not a good candidate for LASIK astigmatism surgery, you still have other options.

• Glasses – Glasses have come a long way since they were first invented in the 13th century. They can be manufactured as single vision, bifocal and trifocal vision correction. Glasses can also be purchased with a myriad of coatings, including anti-reflective, anti-glare, scratch-resistance, UV protection, anti-fog and even color-changing lenses that remove the need for sunglasses.
• Contact Lenses – Like glasses, contact lenses have also come a long way since they were first invented in 1888. They can be purchased as soft, hard (gas-permeable), hybrid, extended wear and disposable. There is even a new orthokeratology contact lens that is worn at night to reshape the cornea and taken out in the morning so that the individual does not have to wear glasses or contacts during the day.
• PRK – A different type of laser eye surgery that does not involve cutting a corneal flap. It is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
• SMILE – stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. It is another type of laser surgery eye correction that involves cutting a small incision into the cornea. It can be used on individuals with astigmatism, dry eye and cataracts.

Are There Types of Astigmatism LASIK Can’t Fix?

LASIK surgery is designed to fix the shape of the cornea. It cannot fix problems with the lens of the eye. Therefore, if the lens of the eye is misshapen, the individual will need a lens replacement, not LASIK eye surgery.

Individuals Who May Not Be Good Candidates for LASIK Eye Surgery

While LASIK is a great option for permanent vision correction, some individuals aren’t going to be good candidates. If you fall into one of these categories, you should discuss other surgical and non-surgical vision correction options with your ophthalmologist.

• LASIK shouldn’t be performed on anyone under the age of 18.
• LASIK cannot be performed on individuals with extremely thin corneas.
• Women who are pregnant shouldn’t get LASIK until three to six months after ending breastfeeding.
• Certain prescription medications can hinder the results of LASIK vision correction surgery.
• Individuals who do not have stable vision are not good candidates.
• Individuals who have cataracts are not good candidates for LASIK.
• LASIK shouldn’t be performed on people with dry eye syndrome as it interferes with the healing process and increases the risk of infection.
• Certain other medical conditions, like diabetes, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can mean that you’re not a good LASIK candidate.

How Much Does LASIK Cost for Astigmatism?

LASIK eye surgery typically costs around $2,200 per eye. It’s important to note that LASIK eye surgery is not typically covered by vision insurance. This is because it’s considered an elective surgery rather than a medically necessary surgery. With that being said, some insurance plans may cover part of the costs of the surgery. If the surgery isn’t covered by the individual’s vision insurance plan, they may be able to pay for part of the surgery using an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account). Individuals can also choose to finance their LASIK eye surgery and pay in monthly installments.

LASIK Eye Surgery at Marietta Eye Clinic in Georgia

Most individuals seeking LASIK vision correction surgery are good candidates for the procedures. If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery as a permanent vision correction option, our ophthalmologist can examine your eyes and take a medical history to determine if you’re a good candidate and answer all your questions about the procedure.

To schedule a consultation for LASIK eye surgery, give us a call at 770-427-8111.