Can I have laser eye surgery if I have astigmatism?

Hi, it’s Matt Russell from VSON Laser Vision Specialists. In this post, I answer, ‘Can I have laser eye surgery if I have astigmatism?’

If you have astigmatism and want to be free from glasses and contact lenses, I have some good news for you. Refractive surgery, a type of laser eye procedure, can treat astigmatism and correct other common vision issues like short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia) that cause blurry vision.

Understanding astigmatism

Astigmatism is a refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens is shaped more like a rugby ball than a round ball. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, leading to blurry vision and eye strain.

• Common symptoms of astigmatism include:
• Blurred or distorted vision
• Headaches
• Eyestrain
• Difficulty seeing clearly at night
• Trouble seeing at all distances

Many people are surprised to find out they have astigmatism during a routine eye test. Fortunately, it’s a condition we can treat effectively with laser vision correction.

Can laser eye surgery fix astigmatism?

When people say, “I have too much astigmatism to do laser eye surgery,” 99.9% of the time, they are wrong. We can typically treat up to four units of astigmatism with a laser vision correction procedure like LASIK. In some cases, newer lasers can even correct up to five units of astigmatism.

If you’ve got more than five units of astigmatism, you’re quite unique. It’s incredibly rare, but we have excellent laser eye surgery alternatives that can help. Our goal is to reduce your need for glasses and contact lenses in a safe and effective way.

What does laser eye surgery involve?

Laser eye surgery reshapes the corneal tissue—the clear, dome-shaped front layer of the eye that helps focus light. During the procedure:

1. We apply numbing drops to keep you comfortable.
2. In LASIK, a flap is created in the cornea. In PRK, the surface layer is gently removed.
3. A laser is used to reshape the cornea based on your individual prescription.

This allows light to focus more precisely on the retina, improving vision at all distances and reducing or eliminating your need for glasses.

LASIK or PRK?

At VSON, we offer both LASIK and PRK. LASIK has a shorter recovery time and is often preferred by those who qualify. PRK is a great alternative if you have thin corneas, dry eyes, or are in a career where flap safety is a concern (e.g., military or contact sports).

Both procedures can treat astigmatism and deliver long-term improvements in visual clarity.

We will thoroughly examine the health of your eyes

Before recommending any procedure, we conduct a comprehensive assessment to make sure your eyes are healthy and suitable for surgery.

If you have dry eyes, this may impact your ability to undergo refractive surgery. We take this into account to ensure you get the best possible outcome and avoid complications.

To learn more about how laser eye surgery can fix astigmatism, and to find out which vision correction option is right for you, please book online for a free laser vision assessment on our website today.