If you have astigmatism, you may think that you cannot get procedures like LASIK. This is not always true.
Whether you can get LASIK depends on the severity of your astigmatism. Astigmatism is a refractive error that occurs when the cornea is an irregular shape.
With astigmatism, you’ll likely experience blurry vision. This is because light enters the eye bending at an awkward angle.
Keep reading to learn more about astigmatism and if you can get LASIK with astigmatism!
Symptoms of Astigmatism
If you have astigmatism, the most common symptom is blurred vision. Other symptoms include:
- Headaches due to too much eye strain.
- Distorted vision
- Dry eyes and itchiness
- Tired eyes due to constant straining
- Having difficulty seeing clearly at night.
What Causes Astigmatism?
There is no specific cause of astigmatism. It can be genetic, or even present at birth.
Other times, it develops as you become an adult. Certain eye injuries can lead to the development of astigmatism if they aren’t treated.
Astigmatism can also stem from other refractive errors like nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Who Can Get Astigmatism?
Anyone can have astigmatism. How old you are has nothing to do with whether you’ll have astigmatism or not.
Genetics, refractive errors, and eye surgeries all increase your chances of developing astigmatism.
Children can be born with astigmatism. It can often be corrected before their first birthday.
Astigmatism is quite common. There are a few key factors that can increase your risk of developing it.
If you have a family history of astigmatism, you have a higher risk of it. Inherited eye disorders like glaucoma and cataracts can also lead to astigmatism.
A severe case of nearsightedness can cause distorted vision at a far distance. The same goes for a severe case of farsightedness which can cause distorted vision up close. These are both forms of astigmatism.
Eye injuries that scar or thin out the cornea as well as corrective eye surgeries such as cataract surgery have been known to cause astigmatism.
Regardless of the cause of your astigmatism, LASIK can usually correct it.
Astigmatism Treatment
There are several ways to correct astigmatism. The most common corrective actions are contact lenses, eyeglasses, and having LASIK surgery.
Contact Lenses and Glasses
You can treat astigmatism with special contact lenses. Regular contact lenses cannot balance on the cornea.
You can use special contact lenses to make the shape of the cornea regular. These special lenses can be more expensive.
There are special prescription eyeglasses that can correct astigmatism. Some regular glasses can also help correct astigmatism.
LASIK and Astigmatism
LASIK is the best option for treating astigmatism because it is a long-lasting solution. The procedure reshapes the cornea, correcting the irregularities and providing permanent clearer vision.
LASIK is a great solution for treating astigmatism because unlike other methods, it permanently corrects the condition.
Wondering if you would be a good LASIK candidate? The only way to know for sure is to have LASIK consultation! Schedule yours at Westlake Eye Specialists in Austin, TX!
Why not find out and see if you could say goodbye to astigmatism for good?
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