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The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) estimates that about one in 3 American adults suffers from astigmatism[1]Eye Health Statistics. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Reviewed on 06/02/2024. If you are one of them and are tired of blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches related to this condition, you possibly have remedies such as LASIK eye surgery.
“With LASIK, astigmatism can be corrected very precisely, resulting in forward vision without glasses or touch lenses,” says Ella Faktorovich, M. D. , an ophthalmic surgeon and director of corneal and refractive surgery at Pacific Vision Institute in San Francisco, California. However, LASIK can cause some side effects and may not be right for everyone.
If you’re curious about LASIK for astigmatism, read on to find out the symptoms and symptoms of the condition, which may be a smart candidate for LASIK eye surgery, and more.
“Astigmatism is due to an abnormal shape of the cornea (the clear component in front of the iris) or lens (inside the eye, the iris),” says Ranjodh S Boparai, M. D. , an ophthalmic surgeon and CEO of CorneaCare. in Philadelphia.
While the typical cornea and lens have a rounded shape similar to that of a baseball, other people with astigmatism have oval-shaped eyes like a football, according to the AAO. Astigmatism can be horizontal, where the eye is wider than it is. tall or vertical, making the eye larger than it is wide. Astigmatism can also be oriented diagonally. This abnormal shape causes light to bend when it enters the eye, creating a refractive error that makes it difficult to see clearly.
Astigmatism can appear in the formative years or in adulthood. Although the cause is unknown, it can be hereditary or caused by surgery or an eye condition, such as an eye disease or eye injury.
If you have astigmatism, you may experience symptoms such as:
Although other people with mild astigmatism don’t experience any symptoms, regular eye exams can ensure that you see as clearly as possible, according to the National Eye Institute.
Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses or tactile lenses, which help to gently focus on the retina, at the back of the eye. However, some would prefer to take advantage of solutions such as refractive surgery, such as LASIK, to treat their astigmatism. .
Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a procedure that adjusts the shape of the cornea using an ultraviolet laser.
Several techniques can be used to perform LASIK. A surgeon usually uses a small guided blade or laser to cut a small flap in the cornea. A momentary, computer-controlled laser then delivers pulses to remove some of the exposed corneal tissue. (stroma) to correct the shape of the eye before replacing the flap, which attaches and scars in place. “The lasers are guided through the patient’s eye measurements,” says Dr. Boparai.
LASIK is performed on an outpatient basis, which means patients can regularly return home the same day as surgery. It typically takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish, with vision changes within a day or two, Dr. Boparai says. You will stay awake during the procedure, but your eyes will be numb from the eye drops.
After the procedure, your eyes may itch or feel burning for a few hours. However, your eye surgeon may provide you with eye drops to decrease side effects and help your eye heal. Those who go under LASIK plan to go home and take a nap or rest after surgery, according to the AAO.
Since LASIK correctly shapes the shape of the cornea, it can also correct refractive errors such as astigmatism. “LASIK is one of the most accurate surgical methods for correcting astigmatism,” says Dr. Faktorovich. In fact, many other people no longer want glasses or touch lenses after LASIK surgery, and 90% of people who undergo LASIK have vision between 20/20 and 20/40 (normal vision and near-normal vision), according to the AAO[2] LASIK – Laser Eye Surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Reviewed on 06/02/2024. .
Although LASIK is a permanent procedure, some people could still experience minor changes in their vision over time, possibly requiring additional corrections, Dr. Boparai says.
While LASIK can be an effective treatment for astigmatism, some other people may enjoy transient or permanent side effects after the procedure, including:
According to Dr. Boparai, dry eyes and poor night vision have common side effects, but those symptoms often improve over time. “Severe headaches are very rare, but they are accompanied by infections, vision impairment and vision loss,” he says.
“LASIK is an excellent procedure that can provide clear vision, but it’s important to understand the pros and cons to know if it’s right for you,” says Dr. Boparai.
According to Dr. Faktorovich, most people are drawn to LASIK because it can make their lives easier by eliminating the desire for glasses or touch lenses.
“A lot of other people need to improve their athletic performance, some new mothers need to see clearly at night when they get up to feed their baby [and] others need to be able to travel easily,” she explains. motivate other people and we dedicate time to the consultation to explore the individual motivation of each person”.
However, LASIK isn’t for everyone. According to the AAO, ideal applicants for LASIK surgery for astigmatism will need to meet the following criteria:
On the other hand, LASIK may not be ideal if you meet one of the following criteria:
It is important to note that LASIK is not covered by insurance. The average cost of LASIK was $2,632 per eye in 2020, according to a report in Clinical Ophthalmology[3]Joffe, S. The 25th Anniversary of Laser Vision Correction in the United States. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021; 15 : 1163-1172. .
Astigmatism is a condition caused by irregularities in the shape of the eye, leading to blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, and other symptoms. LASIK uses lasers to correct the shape of the eye, relieving the symptoms of astigmatism and potentially eliminating the need for glasses or tactile lenses.
LASIK can sometimes be done on an outpatient basis, but it can cause side effects in some people, such as dry eye or light sensitivity. The procedure is also often not covered by insurance and costs about $2,600 per eye, making it too expensive for some.
If you’re unsure about LASIK, Dr. Boparai suggests seeing an eye health professional and anyone you know who has had the procedure. “Your eye surgeon will be able to answer any questions you may have and will be able to get answers to non-public testimonials from other people that will help you make a decision,” he says.
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