Is LASIK An Effective Treatment for Astigmatism?

About one in three people are diagnosed with astigmatism, and patients are surprised to find out that so many others struggle from the same effects. It is common to meet patients who misunderstand the effects of astigmatism and many patients do not realize that LASIK eye surgery is an effective treatment.

What is Astigmatism?

A normal corneal shape should be relatively shaped like a baseball, circular. Whereas, a person with astigmatism has a cornea that is shaped more like a lemon or a football, because of this odd shape, light bends unequally as it enters the eye. As a result, the patient’s curved cornea may cause vision distortion or blurriness to a certain degree from various distances.

Although there are various degree types of astigmatism, not all patients are considered laser vision correction candidates. The only way to determine the best correction technique is to undergo a full eye exam with the best LASIK surgeons. Then conditions such as corneal thickness, corneal topography and medical history will reveal if the conditions are suitable for a successful LASIK outcome.

How Does Laser Vision Correction Treat Astigmatism?

Depending on the severity and the type of astigmatism diagnosed during observation, the condition may be treated with LASIK eye surgery. Generally, refractive surgery is looked at as a last resort, because astigmatism is usually corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, if the patient is no longer able to reap the benefits of prescriptive eyewear or does not express an interest in wearing prescription glasses as a long-term solution then LASIK eye surgery may be the option.

The iLASIK procedure is a 100 percent blade-free approach that creates a thin flap of tissue from an Intralase laser. It combines the latest technology of traditional LASIK procedures and includes advanced CustomVue Wavescan system to provide 25 times more accuracy in measurement than glasses or contact lenses. Once the flap is made then, the Advanced CustomVue treatment can correct a broad range of vision imperfections by reshaping the cornea, so that light rays refract closer to the retina – creating clearer vision.

A recent study measured patient satisfaction with LASIK compared to contact lenses for vision correction. The research funded in part by the Cornea Research Foundation of America found that 96 percent of former contact lenses users who had LASIK preferred laser vision correction surgery over contact lenses. Additionally, the rate of night vision difficulties decreased after LASIK for patients who had previously worn glasses or contacts.

Orange County LASIK May Be Your Best Option

If you are on the fence about LASIK as an option to correct astigmatism, then it is time you learned more from our LASIK surgeons to determine if the benefits are perfect a match for your vision. Connect with our LASIK surgery specialists to learn more about advanced eye care by calling 1-949-582-1090.