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Do you have an astigmatism? LASIK surgery may be able to help you improve your vision. Learn what you need to know about LASIK and astigmatism. Call us for personalized advice or to schedule your LASIK consultation with Dr. Will.

What Is an Astigmatism?

Most people have some degree of astigmatism, a condition that occurs when the cornea is irregularly shaped. Ideally, the eye is shaped like a basketball, perfectly round and spherical. With astigmatism, the eye is shaped more like a football. This can cause focusing problems, eye discomfort, and headaches. Slight astigmatism doesn’t require correction or treatment. If the astigmatism is more advanced, treatment may be needed to maintain good vision. Astigmatism frequently occurs with other eye conditions like nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Treating Astigmatism- What Are My Options?

Like nearsightedness and farsightedness, astigmatism can be treated using a variety of different methods including:

• Glasses– The most common method for treating astigmatism is the use of eyeglasses. Some people wear special lenses in their glasses to compensate for the astigmatism. Glasses only work when they are worn and may be difficult to use when participating in sports, water, and outdoor activities. Glasses are also easily broken and scratched.
• Contacts– Contact lenses are another treatment option for astigmatism. Some people with an astigmatism may have difficulty wearing some types of contacts. Special lenses for astigmatism are available, but they can be more expensive than regular contact lenses. Contact lenses require regular cleaning and special care to maintain eye health. Contact lenses cannot be used during swimming and other water activities safely without special precautions.
• Orthokeratology– Orthokeratology can help some patients with an astigmatism. This treatment involves a special fitting for rigid contact lenses that reshape the eye. This treatment does not provide lasting results. Patients must regularly wear the specialized lenses to maintain eye shape. You may need a specialized eye doctor to use this treatment method.
• LASIK– LASIK surgery, short for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a type of laser surgery that reshapes the eye. LASIK provides long-lasting results and can correct vision without the need for glasses or contacts. In many patients, LASIK provides permanent vision correction or improvement.

To determine which vision correction option is best for you, talk with your eye doctor or visit a LASIK surgeon.

Can I Still Get LASIK If I Have Astigmatism?

Many people worry that they aren’t candidates for LASIK because of their astigmatism. Don’t let your astigmatism keep you from exploring LASIK surgery. In most cases, LASIK can fully correct astigmatism. You can have clear, sharp vision again! LASIK can correct the astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. Since astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, LASIK is one of the best treatment options available for this condition. Glasses and contacts compensate for the problem, but only LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea.

Will I Still Need Glasses or Contacts After LASIK Surgery?

At Will Vision and Laser Centers the need for glasses or contact lenses after Lasik is extremely rare. Since we use the best of the best technology, virtually all of our patients achieve 20/20 vision with LASIK with the majority seeing even better than 20/20 without correction.If you want to experience the freedom that Lasik provides for everyday life its time to ditch those glasses and contacts and discover clear vision without the hassle.

Choosing a LASIK Surgeon to Treat Your Astigmatism

LASIK is an excellent treatment option for astigmatism, but only if you choose a highly experienced and skilled refractive surgeon. Many LASIK providers use older technology or have limited experience working on patients with astigmatism. To get the best results from your LASIK, choose a skilled and experience surgeon that uses the latest LASIK technologies. Look for the following when choosing your LASIK surgeon:

• Bladeless LASIK– Bladeless LASIK provides better results because it enables a clean, exceptionally smooth creation of the corneal flap. Choose a provider that offers Bladeless LASIK for the best results. This allows for faster healing, a stronger eye with fewer complications.
• Wavefront Technology– Your eye is unique and Wavefront technology helps us to correct both simple and advanced focusing errors. Wavefront technology ensures that your eye is properly shaped using LASIK surgery and is especially important for patients with astigmatism.
• Extensive LASIK Experience– LASIK surgery requires practice to get it right. Dr. Will is a top LASIK surgeon in the Pacific Northwest and has helped thousands of patients to obtain better vision, including many patients with astigmatism.

Treat your astigmatism permanently with LASIK surgery. While glasses and contacts simply hide the problem, LASIK surgery reshapes the eye and corrects it. Call us today and learn if LASIK surgery is right for you. LASIK surgery can treat astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other refractive errors, often providing better vision than can be obtained using glasses or contacts. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Will today.