The use of LASIK surgery to correct astigmatism has been in occurrence for the past ten years, often with permanently successful results! In fact, the majority of those who receive the LASIK surgery have some degree of astigmatism (over 80%) that is corrected in the course of their surgery. And, with greater advances in technology it is possible to treat higher degrees of this condition as well.

The technology used to correct astigmatism was among the first to be approved, with the lasers used to treat astigmatism being approved by the FDA over ten years ago; every subsequent laser since then has also been approved for treatment of astigmatism. LASIK to correct astigmatism is performed not only to improve this condition but also to reduce the need for the thick and cumbersome glasses or problematic contact lenses that are often prescribed for this condition. Overall, this condition is easily treated with surgery, and LASIK to correct astigmatism has become commonplace and routine.

How is Astigmatism Corrected With LASIK?

The cornea does the majority of focusing power in the human eye, and altering and re-molding its shape can achieve great changes in the prescription of the eye and drastically improve the sight of the eye. This corneal change has the ability to correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism.

Flattening the cornea will treat and reduce near-sightedness, while making the cornea more spherical will treat and reduce astigmatism; astigmatism is corrected with LASIK by making the cornea more spherical in shape.

This is done by changing the pattern of the beam of the laser, resulting in a greater amount of tissue being removed from one side, making it more uniform and more spherical; in the course of removing tissue from one side the cornea is flattened, resulting in a degree of near-sightedness correction.

In fact, all excimer lasers will correct both astigmatism and near-sightedness in this manner, with each diopter of astigmatism being corrected resulting in a correction of a certain amount of near-sightedness. However, irregular astigmatism is extremely difficult to correct, if at all, and requires a highly skilled surgeon and a unique procedure; although it may be possible, it is unusual, and not at all guaranteed.

In general, LASIK to correct astigmatism is successful and has become one of the most common conditions treated with this type of surgery. Its safety and success record as well as its cosmetic and functional improvement are undoubtedly something that the patient may wish to consider when thinking about LASIK surgery.