Any eye doctor will tell you that astigmatism is a fairly common condition for people with vision problems. However, while a lot of people have it, not a lot of people fully understand what astigmatism means in terms of eye health and treatment. Fortunately, LASIK Los Angeles eye doctors will be able to evaluate your astigmatism and recommend the best course of action. Not many people realize that LASIK eye surgery can correct astigmatism as well as nearsighted and farsighted vision problems.
Astigmatism is a condition that occurs because of some imperfection in the eye’s curvature. This pressurized distortion can result in overall blurred vision. While the patient’s perception is the same either way, there are two different forms of astigmatism. The first kind, which is affected by an irregular-shaped cornea, is called corneal astigmatism. The second kind, which is affected by a distorted lens, is called lenticular astigmatism.
Research has shown that astigmatism can be connected to genetics, eye injuries, or keratoconus disease. Otherwise, medical experts are not always able to pinpoint the exact reason for the condition. Patients that visit the LASIK eye center in Los Angeles often have astigmatism along with nearsightedness or farsightedness. There are even some cases in which people have astigmatism without knowing it. Blurry symptoms can be downplayed, or completely absent, depending on the severity of the distortion and the age of the patient.
Eye doctors can diagnose astigmatism through numerous eye examinations that vary in intensity. Exams can range from a basic letter chart to a letter chart through an optical refractor to a keratometer test to an IOLMaster. All of these will help the eye doctor determine the shape of your cornea and whether or not this is affecting your vision. Doctors can also use computer-guided topography to map out the exact points of your eye.
Many people with astigmatism, especially the more subtle kind, will be given prescription lenses to correct the issue. However, glasses and contacts are not the only way of combating blurry symptoms related to astigmatism. Laser eye surgery at LASIK Los Angeles clinic like Excel Laser Vision Institute is another solution that many patients are starting to find very convenient for their vision correction.
Eye surgeons have been performing LASIK to successfully correct astigmatism for over 25 years. The advantage of this procedure is that it frees a patient from having to wear their glasses or contacts and provides a more permanent solution for their vision issues. Many patients that have undergone LASIK surgery describe the process as fast, easy, and pain-free.
LASIK has not always been a solution for astigmatism, which is why a lot of people are still unaware of this available treatment option. At the time that LASIK was approved by the FDA, methods for correcting astigmatism were not perfected and thus could not be officially authorized. However, the advance of laser technology has created the opportunity for surgeons to achieve more accuracy than ever before.
The latest technology at LASIK Los Angeles clinics allows for eye surgeons to fix astigmatism even better than a prescription lens. LASIK methods can erase the eye distortion entirely instead of merely contradicting it to maintain balance.
If you are thinking about getting LASIK to correct your astigmatism, you may be wondering about the price range of this procedure. The truth of the matter is that LASIK prices depend on many different factors like region, clinic, doctor, technology, and eye condition.
The more complicated your condition is, the more expensive your procedure is going to be. Doctors who take a more customized approach will utilize high-quality lasers that map out the procedure according to your individual circumstances and needs. More in-demand clinics and surgeons will also charge a little more for their services because they have a better record of success. Fortunately, there are some financing options for patients that decide that LASIK is their best option.
Beware of LASIK prices that are too cheap, as that could be an indication that the clinic is not responsible for their patients. In order to assess the quality of a LASIK offering, you should do your research on the clinic and doctor. Ask for references and look up reviews online in order to see what other people’s experiences with that clinic or surgeon have been in the past. Here are some helpful questions that you can ask the LASIK clinic in order to ensure that you are paying for quality care:
- What does the cost cover in terms of the procedure?
- What does the cost cover in terms of pre-surgery and post-surgery care?
- Am I allowed any financing options? Do these acquire any interest?
- How new are your laser machines? How often do you update this technology?
- Will I be offered any post-surgery treatment or prescriptions?
- What kind of prescriptions will be necessary for my recovery and what kind are optional?
- Will I be needing contacts or glasses, even temporarily, after my procedure?
- How many patients have you helped with astigmatism through a LASIK procedure?
- What is the training record and experience of the surgeon?
- How much time do you spend consulting each patient?
Many eye doctors and previous LASIK patients will say that LASIK is an investment. While it can be an expensive procedure, it is often much more expensive to continue dealing with eye issues without the freedom and permanence of laser vision correction. Your time and energy is just as valuable as the money you spend on glasses and contacts every year. LASIK can eliminate the need for prescription lens costs and free up your time for more important things. The procedure only takes about 15 minutes altogether and the recovery time is very quick.
If you have astigmatism and are considering LASIK as a solution, schedule an appointment at a clinic that performs LASIK and get a full examination. The doctor will be able to fully evaluate your condition and determine the extent that LASIK surgery will help with it. Not everyone is a qualified LASIK candidate, which is also why it is important to get this eye examination before weighing your options.
