People are eligible for LASIK despite a common misconception that astigmatism precludes the procedure. As long as the type and extent of astigmatism are within the treatment limits, LASIK successfully treats most individuals’ astigmatisms. Astigmatic patients can be treated at our practice using technology to treat high levels of astigmatism. So the answer to your question is YES, you can get lasik with astigmatism.
It’s okay if your regular eye doctor tells you, you can’t get LASIK with astigmatism. To determine if LASIK will correct your astigmatism and nearsightedness or farsightedness, only a LASIK surgeon can perform a proper LASIK evaluation.
What is the limit of astigmatism for Lasik?
Generally, optometrists limit farsightedness to -6 diopters, nearsightedness to -12 diopters, and astigmatism to 6 diopters. Despite this, laser strengths don’t all equal each other.
A -12 prescription might qualify for LASIK, but a -9 prescription might not. Below, we’ll explore a variety of other factors that affect candidates’ eligibility.
The instability of the cornea can cause astigmatism in some patients with corneal diseases, such as keratoconus. In patients with keratoconus, corneal tissue gradually weakens, causing astigmatism to become more pronounced over time. Due to the already fragile corneal structure, LASIK or PRK is not recommended in this particular case.
What is astigmatism, and why is it so hard to spell?
Astigmatism affects the cornea, a clear tissue covering the front of the eye, and light cannot reach the retina properly if the cornea is irregularly shaped.
The cornea of someone with astigmatism resembles the shape of a football. A blurry image is caused by uneven bends in light entering the eye. Your vision will probably be worse if your eye looks like a football.
A person with astigmatism can have either a regular or irregular form. Most cases of regular astigmatism are hereditary, and eye diseases or injuries can cause irregular astigmatism, which is much less common.
Many people have astigmatism, but the majority do not need treatment. The word is very difficult to spell; is there a reason for that? The great vowel shortage of 1878 probably gave its name to astigmatism.
Through LASIK, the cornea is reshaped using a laser with a highly focused beam, and light will enter your eyes clearly without being distorted. For most patients, the procedure takes less than 10 minutes per eye, and anesthetic eye drops are provided before the procedure. After LASIK for mild or moderate nearsightedness or astigmatism, more than 93% of patients achieved 20/20 or better six months later.
How Do I Qualify for Lasik with Astigmatism?
Age
LASIK surgery is not suitable for people under the age of 18. It is likely that you are still experiencing physical growth and hormonal changes.
If you get LASIK before age 18 or older, your eyes will not be stabilized enough to benefit from it. You may need glasses again after surgery if they change.
A Stable Prescription
After turning 18 and finishing puberty, many people still have prescriptions that change frequently. LASIK won’t be a good option if this sounds like you.
Eye doctors generally prefer to see a prescription that has remained stable for at least one or two years. Your eyes must remain the same after surgery to attain the best results.
Good Overall Health
The risk of LASIK surgery increases if you have certain health conditions. If you suffer from glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases, you might benefit from an alternative to LASIK. You may also be unsuitable for surgery if you have eye problems (such as strabismus, amblyopia, and keratoconus).
The immune system will also not be able to defend itself if a medication is taken that compromises it. As a result, it’s so crucial that you inform your eye doctor of all health issues and medications you’re taking during your consultation.
Not Pregnant
LASIK should not be performed on pregnant women until they have given birth, had a period, and stopped nursing. Your eyes and vision can be affected by hormonal changes, so stabilizing them before surgery is essential.
Booking a Consultation with Your Astigmatism in Mind
It should be the LASIK surgeon rather than an optometrist or technician who performs the corneal mapping during a consultation for LASIK. The corneal map combines thousands of images in seconds (just like a topography map). Astigmatism can be treated with LASIK by looking at your cornea’s shape, thickness, and structural integrity.
