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What is Astigmatism and Can LASIK Treat It?
In short, yes. Astigmatism can be treated by the LASIK treatments of today. Astigmatism is not an abnormal eye health condition; rather, it is a refractive error of the eye. In fact, it is quite common. About 1 in 3 people that wear glasses or contacts have astigmatism. There is a common misconception that you cannot have LASIK if you have astigmatism, but this could not be farther from the truth.
To best understand astigmatism and how it relates to one’s vision, one must first understand some of the basics of the optics of the human eye. When a person sees clearly at a distance without an eyeglass prescription, they are emmetropic. Emmetropic means that the light entering their eye(s) from a distance focuses clearly to a single point onto the retina, allowing them to see clearly.
When light hits an oblique surface, like the lens of an eye, it bends and changes paths. This is known as refraction of light. When you go to the eye doctor, they often perform a certain test known as a refraction. This is the famous “what is better, 1 or 2?” test that is often portrayed in the media. A refraction test helps determine a person’s eyeglass prescription by examining their refractive error, or the reason why light is unable to focus to a single point onto that eye’s retina without glasses.
There are three primary refractive errors that cause light to not focus properly. The first two refractive errors are nearsightedness and farsightedness. Nearsightedness (myopia) occurs when light focuses too soon and comes to a point focus in front of the retina. Nearsighted eyes do not see well far away, and these patients have a minus sign in front of their eyeglass prescription. Farsightedness (hyperopia) means light focuses too late, meaning that light comes to a point focus behind the retina. Farsighted eyes thus do not see as well up close, and these patients will have a plus sign in front of their eyeglass prescription.
The third refractive error is astigmatism, which causes light to not come to a focus point anywhere on the retina. Instead, light becomes unequally focused on two separate lines. For this reason, astigmatism means “without a focal point.”
Astigmatism can be corneal or lenticular, meaning one or both of these two primary refractive parts of the eye are not spherical or are shaped more like a football. The lack of a spherical shape causes the light passing through the cornea and lens to not focus correctly on the retina. In essence, astigmatic eyes have two different primary refractive errors. That is why patients with astigmatism have very different-looking eyeglass prescriptions from patients that don’t have astigmatism.
Example of a Non-Astigmatic Eyeglass Prescription: -2.50 SPH (Sphere)
Example of an Astigmatic Eyeglass Prescription: -2.50 -1.25 x 180
In the astigmatic prescription above, in addition to the myopic -2.50 part of the prescription, the -1.25 x 180 part of the prescription represents the amount and orientation of the astigmatism. Fortunately, astigmatism is correctable by LASIK. The Excimer Laser used in LASIK procedures can successfully reshape the cornea to treat all kinds of astigmatism. Modern advanced LASIK technology has corrected tens of millions of eyes with astigmatism around the world.
Symptoms of astigmatism may include:
- Blurry or distorted vision at near and far distances
- Eye strain or discomfort, especially after reading or using electronic devices
- Headaches following prolonged visual tasks such as reading
- Glares and halos around lights
- The need to squint or tilt your head to achieve clearer vision
Double vision in one eye is also a symptom of astigmatism, particularly in cases where the condition only impacts a single eye.
Symptoms of astigmatism can range from irritating to limiting, but even in mild cases, they should not be ignored. Not only is improved vision possible, but many of the symptoms of astigmatism are also symptoms of other vision and eye disorders, some of which may be serious. Discussing your symptoms with one of the experienced eye doctors at 20/20 Institute is a good way to learn if astigmatism is at the root of your vision problems.
Most eye doctors agree that moderate to higher levels of astigmatism require treatment with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or vision correction procedures like LASIK.
Yes, uncorrected astigmatism can make it more difficult to see at night. This may be dangerous when night driving and performing other tasks that require low-light visual clarity. Astigmatism causes light to focus on the retina unevenly, which can lead to blurred or distorted vision. In low-light conditions, the pupils dilate to allow more peripheral light to enter the eye, which may allow blurred and distorted vision to become more pronounced.
If you have uncorrected astigmatism, you may notice glares and halos around lights. You may also have difficulties distinguishing objects—particularly darker or shadowed objects—in low-light situations. When nighttime vision issues begin to impact your daily life, treating your astigmatism may provide the solution you’ve been looking for. The Denver and Colorado Springs LASIK doctors at 20/20 Institute can help you explore your vision correction options and assist you in determining which astigmatism treatment will be best for your specific concerns.
Yes. It is possible to have hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism simultaneously. Hyperopia occurs when the eye focuses images behind the retina, making close objects appear blurry. Astigmatism also blurs vision, but due to an irregular curvature of the lens, astigmatism blurs vision at both near and far distances.
Just like you can have astigmatism and hyperopia, it is possible to have myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism simultaneously. Myopia causes distant objects to appear blurry due to images focusing in front of the retina.
The symptoms of astigmatism with hyperopia—and the symptoms of astigmatism with myopia—are similar to general astigmatism symptoms and may include blurry or distorted vision, eye strain and headaches, difficulties seeing at night, and the need to squint to improve focus.
At 20/20 Institute, we understand that no two eyes are the same. We offer custom LASIK procedures—along with a selection of LASIK alternatives—that can address multiple vision concerns at once. We will develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your specific needs to help you achieve clearer vision tailored just for you.
There are a few different surgical options that can help treat astigmatism. These include:
- Custom LASIK. During LASIK, a small flap is created in the cornea, allowing the inner layer to be precisely sculpted. Custom LASIK treats astigmatism by addressing the unique curvature of the eye, enabling light to refract more effectively on the retina.
- PRK. PRK reshapes the cornea in the same manner as LASIK, but may be recommended if you have thinner corneas. However, because PRK involves the removal of the outer layer of your cornea, recovery takes much longer than with LASIK.
- SMILE. SMILE is a minimally invasive surgery that involves creating a small lens-shaped piece of tissue within the cornea. This tissue is then removed through a tiny incision, reshaping the cornea to correct astigmatism without creating a flap on the corneal surface.
- ICL. ICL surgery involves implanting a custom-made lens between your iris and the natural lens of your eye. ICLs correct a wide range of vision issues, including astigmatism, and may be ideal for people who are not good candidates for laser vision correction.
The Denver eye surgeons at 20/20 Institute have decades of experience customizing astigmatism surgery to meet the exact needs of the individual. During your complimentary candidacy screening, we will carefully assess your level of astigmatism, evaluate the health and structure of your eyes, and help you determine which astigmatism surgery will be ideally suited to meet your needs.
Custom LASIK is a trusted procedure for treating astigmatism. However, whether LASIK is the best treatment for astigmatism in your case depends on factors such as:
- The severity of your astigmatism
- Your corneal thickness
- Your overall eye health
- Your specific lifestyle and vision needs
At 20/20 Institute, we know that the most effective astigmatism surgery is the one that meets the exact needs of the patient. We’re here to guide you through your options and help you reach the best decision. Eternally patient-focused, we base our vision correction recommendations on what will be most effective for each individual.
Most insurance plans consider astigmatism surgery to be an elective procedure and will not cover the cost. However, you can use your FSA or HSA for vision correction surgery, including treatment for astigmatism.
At 20/20 Institute, we strive to make vision correction surgery accessible and affordable. We offer Colorado’s only LASIK Best Price Guarantee along with discounts for patients with vision insurance (even if astigmatism surgery isn’t covered by the plan), allowing us to help you explore payment plans that fit within your budget.
Results from astigmatism surgery may last for a lifetime, but it’s important to understand that changes can happen to the cornea over time. Trauma, age-related vision disorders, and other factors may eventually impact your results. To meet these challenges head-on, we offer a free standard LASIK refinement plan for patients who choose to address astigmatism with LASIK.
Taking care of your eyes can help to extend the results of vision correction surgery. This includes:
- Maintaining regular (yearly) eye exams
- Protecting your eyes from UV rays
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Managing chronic health conditions
- Using protective eyewear when needed
- Staying hydrated and well-rested
Eye strain can also impact visual clarity. If your work or lifestyle involves a significant amount of screen time, be sure to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s also a good idea to take five to ten-minute breaks from close-up work every one to two hours. This further helps reduce strain and allows the eyes to relax between demanding tasks.
The eye doctor you choose for your astigmatism surgery will play a direct role in your comfort, safety, and results. When you choose 20/20 Institute, you are selecting a practice known for:
- Skilled, experienced, and dedicated eye doctors and surgeons
- An unsurpassed track record of success (99.67% of our LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better*)
- Advanced, bladeless, custom LASIK procedures
- Safe and effective LASIK alternatives
- A personal counselor who will be your treatment coordinator
- An unwavering commitment to patient satisfaction
We are a doctor-owned-and-operated, independent vision correction practice with more than 20 years of service in Denver and surrounding areas. An absolute patient favorite, we have thousands of unsolicited 5-star reviews on Google and other platforms that speak to our level of care and customer service, quality treatments, and remarkable results. If you are considering astigmatism surgery in Denver, Colorado Springs, or a nearby area of Colorado, we can provide a FREE vision correction evaluation to help you determine if LASIK, ICL, or another treatment will be ideal for your vision correction needs.
At 20/20 Institute, we assist patients tired of the limitations eyeglasses and contact lenses place on their everyday lives. We perform Advanced Custom LASIK that treats all three types of refractive errors, whether that is myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. Our unsurpassed visual outcomes mean that 99.67% of our Denver LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 or better vision*. If you’re ready to explore your options related to LASIK surgery in Denver, schedule one of our complimentary LASIK phone consults to discover if LASIK can free you from the daily hassles of glasses and contacts.
303.202.0669
In short, yes. Astigmatism can be treated by the LASIK treatments of today. Astigmatism is not an abnormal eye health condition; rather, it is a refractive error of the eye....
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In short, yes. Astigmatism can be treated by the LASIK treatments of today. Astigmatism is not an abnormal eye health condition; rather, it is a refractive error of the eye....
Read Article