How LASIK Eye Surgery Corrects Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common vision problem. While vision issues like hyperopia (farsightedness) and myopia (nearsightedness) are a result of an issue with the eye’s overall shape, astigmatism is caused by a specific problem with the cornea’s design.

The cornea is the clear layer at the front of the eye and is responsible for allowing the eye to focus light in order to create a clear image. Typically, the cornea is shaped like a ball so that it curves in all directions. But in an astigmatic eye, the cornea is shaped like a football or egg. This prevents the light from focusing on a single point, causing blurred vision at all distances.

Although astigmatism can create trouble seeing at near and far distances, the good news is that this vision problem can be easily treated through LASIK eye surgery. At LASIK Experts, we’re committed to helping people in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Lawrenceville, New Jersey areas achieve clear vision by correcting common problems, like astigmatism.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

Generally, people are born with astigmatism. It can also be accompanied by other refractive errors, like myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). In some cases, however, astigmatism can occur after experiencing a trauma or injury to the eye that changes the cornea’s shape.

Your optometrist is able to diagnose astigmatism during an eye exam by measuring the curvature of your cornea. They can also evaluate the severity of the astigmatism.

Signs of astigmatism may include:

• Squinting
• Head pain
• Strained eyes
• Trouble seeing at night
• Blurry or distorted vision

How Astigmatism is Treated

There are several treatment options for astigmatism. Typically, people with astigmatism use glasses and contact lenses to achieve clearer vision. However, the problem is that this doesn’t offer a long-term solution and can be inconvenient.

Many people with astigmatism still struggle to see clearly while relying on glasses and contacts. For instance, some glasses wearers report seeing blurriness along the edges of the frames. Similarly, people who wear contact lenses for astigmatism may experience blurry vision if their lenses rotate.

LASIK eye surgery is a more reliable way to treat astigmatism. This is because it gets to the root of the issue by correcting the shape of the cornea. As such, many people who opt to undergo LASIK for astigmatism achieve a better quality of vision than what was possible while only wearing contacts or frames.

Even more, a huge benefit of LASIK is its convenience. It can relieve you from many daily inconveniences by freeing you from glasses and contacts. You no longer have to worry about taking out your contacts before sleeping or forgetting where you put your glasses. Plus, there’s also a financial incentive. Since it’s a one-time investment and you no longer have to worry about re-purchasing frames, contacts, and lens solutions, LASIK can actually save money in the long-term.

How LASIK Treats Astigmatism

LASIK eye surgery corrects astigmatism by changing the shape of the cornea. Through a variety of pre-diagnostic tests, our team is able to determine the shape the cornea needs to take so that it can allow light to properly refract to create a clear image. Then, during the procedure, a corneal flap is created and an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea.

The only way to determine if LASIK is a viable solution to your astigmatism or other vision problems is by coming in for a free, no-obligation consultation. At your appointment, we will determine your candidacy, discuss the options available to you, and answer any questions.

At LASIK Experts, we believe that few things in life are more important than your vision. We’re committed to helping you achieve the best quality of vision possible. If you’re in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Lawrenceville, New Jersey areas, book your free consultation today to discover the life-changing results of LASIK.