Do you have astigmatism? Are you tired of needing contact lenses or glasses every day?
LASIK can usually correct your refractive error, including astigmatism, safely and effectively as long as your prescription is within the treatment limits and you’re a candidate for the procedure.
Can LASIK Correct Astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when your cornea has an irregular shape, like a football or the back of a spoon, instead of the typical round or spherical shape. An irregular cornea shape will change how light focuses on your retina, causing blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
Other signs of astigmatism include:
- Eye strain
- Poor night vision
- Headaches
- Squinting to see clearly
LASIK can treat astigmatism, alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, and allow you to experience greater freedom from glasses or contacts. However, there’s a limit to how much laser eye surgery can fix your vision.
VisionPoint Eye Center uses the iDesign Refractive Studio, the first and only topography integrated, wavefront-guided technology to customize your vision. Our technology can measure your exact amount of astigmatism and nearsightedness or farsightedness. Using your unique measurements, the laser corrects your vision based on the precise measurements of your eye. No one in the world will receive the same procedure.
Depending on your degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness, our state-of-the-art Star S4 Excimer laser can treat up to 6 diopters of astigmatism.
To determine if the amount of astigmatism you have, schedule a LASIK consultation with your eye doctor at VisionPoint Eye Center. After your consultation, your LASIK coordinator and eye doctor will determine if you’re a candidate.
Signs You’re a Good LASIK Candidate
Although most people with an average amount of astigmatism will qualify for LASIK eye surgery, some may not due to various factors. LASIK may be right for you if you meet the following criteria:
You’re 18 Years or Older
The FDA has approved LASIK for those that are 18 years or older. Usually, that age is when your eyes have fully developed, and your prescription has stabilized.
By having LASIK at this time, LASIK surgery will be more cost effective. You’ll get to enjoy clear vision with less dependence on corrective lenses for many years to come.
However, if you have laser eye surgery when you’re too young, there’s a possibility your eyes can continue changing after the procedure. That would mean you would likely need additional laser vision correction later in life or depend on glasses and/or contacts to have crisp clear vision again.
For this reason, it’s best to have LASIK when your prescription has not changed in the past couple of years.
You’re in Good General Health
Certain health conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and having thin corneas may affect your ability to qualify as a candidate for LASIK.
Inform your LASIK coordinator and eye doctor of any medications you’re taking or a pre-existing health condition. Certain medications may interfere with your LASIK procedure or recovery and may need to be discontinued prior to your procedure, if possible.
If your health condition is stable and symptoms adequately managed, you might still qualify for laser eye surgery.
You Have Healthy Eyes
Eye doctors typically want to ensure that your eyes are healthy and free of certain eye conditions like glaucoma, keratoconus, or cataracts to qualify you as a candidate. These eye conditions can make it complicated or risky to undergo a LASIK procedure.
Chronic dry eyes might also disqualify you from LASIK. Your eye doctor will determine if your eyes are healthy enough for laser eye surgery during your LASIK evaluation.
Start Your Journey to Clear Vision
If you’re not happy relying on contacts or glasses all the time, LASIK could provide the perfect solution. The experienced surgeons at VisionPoint Eye Center use advanced LASIK technology to correct astigmatism and free you from contacts or glasses, allowing you to live a better quality of life.
Are you wondering if LASIK is right for you? Schedule a LASIK consultation at VisionPoint Eye Center in Bloomington or Champaign, IL, today to find out if you’re a candidate for LASIK!
