LASIK for Astigmatism | Facts, Treatment, and Benefits

LASIK can correct:

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error. This means the curvature of your cornea or the lens inside your eye is irregular. Sometimes the curvature is shaped more like a football or an egg. 

This irregular shape affects the way light passes through the cornea and lens and how it is bent (refracted) onto the retina. A refractive error of this kind can make it difficult to see objects clearly.

Can I Have LASIK Surgery If I Have Astigmatism?

Yes, LASIK can treat astigmatism. Laser eye surgery can correct up to about 6.00 diopters of astigmatism. 

If you also have nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), LASIK may not be able to provide the full amount of correction for your astigmatism. A LASIK specialist can advise you medically on whether you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery.

Can Everyone With Astigmatism Have Laser Eye Surgery?

Most people with astigmatism who meet the basic eligibility criteria can undergo laser eye surgery. In some cases, however, a person’s refractive error (their glasses prescription) is too high or too irregular for laser eye surgery to be appropriate.

After a thorough examination, your laser eye surgeon will tell you whether your astigmatism can be corrected with laser eye surgery and which type of laser procedure is most suitable for you. This depends on the health and thickness of your cornea, along with your lifestyle and visual needs.

Patients with astigmatism who are over 55 may be better suited for lens replacement surgery rather than laser eye surgery.

During lens exchange surgery or cataract surgery, the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Toric lenses are a type of IOL specifically designed to correct astigmatism.

Benefits of LASIK for Astigmatism Correction

Speed and Safety

LASIK is performed as an outpatient procedure. In some cases, the surgery may take around 20 minutes, sometimes less. Regardless of the exact time, the laser technology is very safe and is programmed to shut off automatically if there are any sudden eye movements.

Results

Clear vision usually does not take long to achieve after laser eye surgery. Many patients notice a positive difference within a few hours after the procedure, with vision continuing to improve over the following days.

Better Vision for Longer Periods

This type of surgery can significantly improve vision for many years, and for some patients the result is long-lasting. That means many people may no longer need to rely on glasses or contact lenses to comfortably carry out everyday activities.

Astigmatism After LASIK

The Cost of LASIK for Astigmatism

Laser vision correction procedures (including LASIK for astigmatism) vary in price depending on several factors. In general, the average cost of LASIK in the United States is about $2,500 per eye. LASIK can be more expensive for patients with astigmatism, but this depends mainly on the surgeon’s fees and the clinic’s pricing structure.

This price may include the initial consultation as well as follow‑up care. However, because every eye care clinic is different, it’s important to ask your ophthalmologist for a detailed, itemized quote. Additional factors that may influence the cost of this type of refractive surgery include:

How LASIK Treats Astigmatism

LASIK is the most common type of laser eye surgery used to treat astigmatism. LASIK corrects astigmatism by creating a corneal flap and then removing very thin layers of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea.

There are two main steps in LASIK treatment for astigmatism. In the first step, a suction ring is applied to create a flap in the cornea. In the second step, the laser is used to change the curvature and thickness of the cornea.

LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) are both “flapless” laser procedures. They are less invasive to the corneal structure than LASIK, but recovery is typically longer with LASEK/PRK than with LASIK.

However, LASEK/PRK can be a good option for patients who are not suitable candidates for LASIK. Both procedures work by gently moving or removing the corneal epithelium (the thinnest outer layer of the cornea) to access and correct the underlying irregularities.

Astigmatism After LASIK

Astigmatism is a relatively common issue that can affect some people even after LASIK surgery.

In most cases, residual astigmatism can be corrected with a simple enhancement laser treatment. In other cases, astigmatism may persist after LASIK and an additional surgical procedure may be needed to fine‑tune the correction.

Here are two types of astigmatism that can affect treatment outcomes:

For example, if you have mild astigmatism, your vision can often be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or another form of refractive surgery.

On the other hand, in cases of moderate to severe astigmatism, your doctor may recommend limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) or conductive keratoplasty (CK), in addition to or instead of other options.

Astigmatism After LASIK

Alternative Treatment Options for Astigmatism

If someone decides not to have LASIK surgery, there are several other options available. Before recommending any treatment and/or corrective lenses, an eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to assess the shape of the cornea. In many cases, mild to moderate astigmatism can be managed with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

One common option is soft toric contact lenses, which are specifically designed to correct astigmatism. However, for more severe astigmatism, rigid (hard) contact lenses or glasses may provide better vision.

Another treatment option is Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). This surgical procedure is similar to LASIK; however, instead of creating and preserving a corneal flap, the surgeon removes the outer protective layer of the cornea. This epithelial layer then naturally regrows over the newly reshaped cornea.

The main reason a person may be a better candidate for PRK than for LASIK is corneal thickness. If the cornea is too thin, there isn’t enough tissue to safely create a flap in the superficial corneal layers, and this step is essential in LASIK. 

Patients considering PRK should be aware that recovery time is usually longer than with LASIK. If you’d like to determine the best option, you can book an appointment at Batal Specialty Complex and get a professional opinion on whether LASIK for astigmatism is suitable for you to help you achieve your best possible vision.