Are you thinking about getting LASIK in Orange County but want to know if the surgery can fix astigmatism? If so, you have come to the right place for an answer. The short answer is yes, laser vision correction surgery is able to improve blurry vision caused by astigmatism.
In this article, we will explain how LASIK is able to fix astigmatism and discuss if LASIK is the right procedure for you.
Did you know that 1 in 3 people in the United States have astigmatism? Many people with astigmatism suffer from blurry vision, eye strain, and rely on glasses or contacts for most of their lifetime. Over the years, there have been significant advances in laser vision correction technology. Individuals with astigmatism prescriptions are able to reduce or even eliminate their need for glasses or contacts with LASIK surgery.
Most people are born with astigmatism, as the condition is primarily hereditary. Astigmatism develops due to an uneven or imperfectly shaped eye. Most of the population has a very slight degree of astigmatism. If the eye is not perfectly round, it makes it difficult for light to focus accurately which causes blurred vision.
Even though glasses or contacts can help correct astigmatism, modern-day laser eye surgeries such as LASIK, PRK, and SMILE are able to give you clear, safe vision without them.
What is a Diopter?
Before we dive into how laser eye surgery can fix astigmatism, it is important to define a diopter. Diopters (D) is a unit of optical power used to measure vision prescriptions. A perfect eye, otherwise known as “plano” has 0 D. In reality, most people have a very slight amount of visual distortion- typically between .5 and .75 D. Individuals with prescriptions over .75 need some type of correction to fix their astigmatism, which in many cases means glasses or contacts.
How does LASIK fix astigmatism?
Your LASIK surgeon in Orange County will use sophisticated laser technology to reshape your cornea, thereby removing the problems that lead to blurry vision. The surgery will improve your eyes’ ability to focus. Laser surgery can treat a wide range of vision prescriptions:
- Up to 6D of astigmatism
- Up to -12D of nearsightedness
- Up to +6D of farsightedness
Some people experience both nearsightedness and astigmatism in their vision prescription. This phenomenon is more common than you may think. The good news is that modern-day laser vision surgery like LASIK can treat individuals with mixed prescriptions.
Back in the day (over 30 years ago), people with astigmatism or a mix of astigmatism and nearsightedness were not typically qualified for laser vision correction. However, over the years there have been many new findings and advancements in laser technology, which make it possible for more people and more prescriptions to be qualified for laser eye surgery.
LASIK eye surgery cost has also changed over the years. In 2008, LASIK surgery typically cost around $4,000 (in today’s dollars that would be $5,300). Nowadays, LASIK costs approximately $4,400. That means there has been an estimated 20% reduction in cost.
Is LASIK right for you?
When it comes to laser vision correction surgery, you have many options. It is imperative that you get a thorough evaluation by an eye surgeon to figure out if LASIK can fix your astigmatism. Your consultation will include a broad range of diagnostics of your eye to measure the various aspects of it that affect your vision. A significant amount of data will be collected, which will help your surgeon answer the following questions:
- Are the patient’s eyes healthy?
- Is the patient’s vision prescription in a treatable range for laser eye surgery?
- Is the patient a qualified candidate for laser vision correction?
- If so, which procedure – or procedures – are ideal for the patient?
- If not, are there other vision correction options that the patient can consider?
Fortunately, there are a variety of procedures your eye surgeon will be able to perform to eliminate or reduce your reliance on glasses or contacts, even if you suffer from astigmatism. Are you feeling ready to take the next step and find the best LASIK eye surgery in Orange County? Contact Excel Laser Vision Institute today to book a consultation for LASIK in Orange County.
