Most people think of LASIK eye surgery as a way to improve nearsightedness or farsightedness but don’t realize it is also an effective option for treating astigmatism.
The name might sound strange, but astigmatism is a very common vision problem.
The cornea is the transparent outer covering of an eye and its normal shape is round like a ping-pong ball. For those with astigmatism, the cornea is more egg-shaped. So, as light enters the eye—through an elliptical instead of rounded curve—the normal path of that light is altered and vision is blurred whether looking near or far.
Many people who have astigmatism squint in an attempt to focus on details. The squinting and the constant effort to regain better focus can also cause headaches.
Like nearsightedness and farsightedness, there is a spectrum of severity for astigmatism. The effects vary from person to person and eye to eye.
When an eye care professional corrects astigmatism with glasses or contacts, they are putting in a lens to redirect the altered light path passing through the “egg-shaped” cornea in attempt to allow for a sharper focus. In comparison, lasers are used to gently and precisely adjust the shape of the cornea itself during LASIK surgery for astigmatism.
Whether laser eye surgery is an option for you depends on the type and severity of your astigmatism as well as other health and lifestyle factors. The only way to know for sure if you are a good candidate for LASIK laser astigmatism surgery is to be examined by our experienced team of eye doctors.
Look for a LASIK specialist with a strong record of success, who will walk you through the options, technology, preparation, and follow-up considerations of LASIK.
If you like to schedule a free LASIK surgery consultation, call 1-877-TLC-2020.
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Now is the time. Find out if LASIK is right for you.