Will Laser Eye Surgery Correct Astigmatism?

Historically, Laser Eye Surgery was not able to correct astigmatism. With modern advancements in both medicine and medical technology, we are now able to correct the irregular shape and fix astigmatism issues.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common eye condition that can affect the quality of your vision. Astigmatism occurs when the lens or cornea of the eye has an irregular shape, similar to the shape of a rugby ball where it should be a football. This irregular curvature changes the way light enters your retina, as it provides multiple focal points instead of just one. This causes blurry or distorted vision as well as “seeing double”. This condition can both improve or worsen over time.

If you are unsure if you have Astigmatism, here are the most common signs:

• Blurred vision that gets worse at night
• Having to squint your eyes to see some things clearly
• Eye soreness or strain
• Experiencing regular headaches
• Difficulty reading
• Near and/or farsightedness

You may have been born with Astigmatism but have only recently noticed symptoms as the condition has gotten worse. They can start very subtle but may get better or worse over long periods.

Mild astigmatism should not cause any severe vision issues. You may need glasses or contacts for reading and other activities but you should be able to continue life easily. When your astigmatism causes heavily blurred or distorted vision and constant headaches/ fatigue, then Laser Eye Surgery may become necessary.

The two main types of astigmatism are:

1. Corneal Astigmatism – where your cornea has an irregular shape
2. Lenticular Astigmatism – Where your lens has an irregular shape

These both have the same effects and are often accompanied by farsightedness. You will likely not know the difference between these two types as they are essentially the same.

What Causes Astigmatism?

We do not know exactly what causes Astigmatism, but it usually is present at birth. This indicates a link to genetics, if your family has a history of Astigmatism it may be likely that you also have the condition. It can also develop due to an injury, scar or operation to the eye if the corneal surface has been damaged, although this is rare.

Astigmatism can occur at any age, you may have been born with the condition but simply did not notice the symptoms until later in life.

Most people have some level of Astigmatism which can usually be counteracted by glasses or contact lenses. It becomes an issue when you notice constant blurred or distorted vision or continuous headaches. Then you should begin to consider Laser Eye surgery to treat the condition.

Is Everyone With Astigmatism Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery?

The majority of people with Astigmatism will be eligible for Laser Eye Surgery, as long as they meet the basic eligibility criteria for the surgery and have had a consultation with a laser eye surgeon. However, a person’s refractive error (also known as their glasses prescription) will be too high or too irregular for the surgery.

No two eyes are the same, so it is important to book a consultation with a qualified Laser Eye surgeon before you commit to any procedure. During your consultation, the surgeon will determine whether or not your astigmatism can be corrected with Laser Eye surgery and which surgery is the right option for you. This can depend on the health and thickness of your cornea or lens, as well as other lifestyle factors.

For those who are over the age of 55, Lens replacement or Cataract surgery may be a more suitable option. This process involves removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with a new artificial lens. Your optician will inform you if they believe that this is the better option to fix your astigmatism. You can read more about cataract surgery here.

How Will Laser Eye Surgery Correct Astigmatism?

For many years, Astigmatism was not able to be corrected through Laser Eye surgery and similar methods. Not many people are aware that their blurry vision and irregular lens can now be corrected by a quick laser eye surgery procedure.

The procedure for correcting astigmatism is slightly more complicated than for other eye conditions such as myopia or hyperopia. This is because the eye requires correction in multiple places, instead of just one, due to the irregular shape of the cornea or lens. Despite this, the procedure is incredibly effective with a very high success rate.

Laser Eye Surgery for astigmatism involves using a laser to remove a small amount of corneal tissue to correct the shape and curvature of the eye. Making it more like a football and less like a rugby ball, to return to our previous analogy. This then allows light to focus on one point on the retina, providing a much clearer vision.

The most common laser eye surgery used to correct astigmatism is LASIK. This is because it can treat the widest range of prescriptions. LASIK surgery for astigmatism involves cutting a small thing “flap” into the cornea to expose the stroma. A second laser is then beamed onto the corneal stroma to reshape the irregular curvature of the eye. This procedure usually only takes up to 30 minutes, you will be able to return home to rest and recover the same day. You should be able to return to work in just a few days after the surgery, be sure to consult with your optician for more advice.

Is Laser Eye Surgery Safe?

As a whole, Laser Eye Surgery is a very safe procedure that is tried and tested by thousands of surgeons and patients across the world. The surgery is very quick and does not cause any initial pain. However, like with any delicate procedure, there are occasional side effects. Some are more common than others and will usually disappear after a short time after your surgery.

The most common side effects of Laser Eye Surgery include:

Dry Eyes

Many patients that have gone through a LASIK procedure report dry eyes. This is caused by decreased tear production causing irritation. Eye drops can help ease the symptoms.

Vision Changes

These are more common if you previously had a high prescription. These changes include glare, halos, ghost images and starbursts but will usually disappear after a few months.

Eye Appearance Changes

Some patients have reported red blotches in the whites of their eyes after undergoing a Laser Eye Surgery procedure. These are caused by small blood leaks and are not at all detrimental. These should clear up after a few weeks.

Eye Blurring

This issue is simply an adaptation period for your eyes and should not last longer than a few months.

Eye Infection

Although rare, your eye may be at risk of infection after certain laser eye surgeries (specifically, surgeries that use surface ablations) Ensuring the use of a natural bandage after the procedure, a sterile environment and proper rest and healing can help avoid this.

For more information on Laser Eye Surgery and the different procedures, visit our treatment page or contact us with any questions you may have

Book Your Consultation With Eye Doctor

If you would like to book a consultation to see if your astigmatism can be corrected through laser eye surgery or other methods, why not book a consultation with us today? We are one of the most trusted and respected Eye specialists in the UK with experience performing several different procedures to fix and correct eye conditions. Visit our About Us section to learn more.