I Am Struggling With Astigmatism. Can LASIK Get Rid of It?

The world can seem blurry to people living with astigmatism. While astigmatism is surprisingly common, it can become frustrating when driving or reading your favorite books. It may be time to consider laser correction surgery to improve your quality of life. Patients at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center want to know – can LASIK fix astigmatism? The short answer is yes, but only for the right candidates.

When LASIK was first developed, it could only treat cases of nearsightedness or myopia. After years of developing the procedure, eye doctors can now successfully address astigmatism. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Young H. Choi can discuss the possibility of LASIK near Birmingham, AL, when you come in for a vision assessment. We can lessen your dependence on glasses and contact lenses.

What is astigmatism?

Before choosing LASIK as a treatment option, we encourage patients to understand how astigmatism and other refractive errors affect their vision. Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped eye. This changes your ability to focus light directly onto the retina. Mild cases of eye astigmatism lead to blurry vision, while more severe cases cause chronic headaches and eye strain. You may find yourself squinting to see near or far away objects clearly. Some symptoms of astigmatism include:

• Blurry vision

• Eye strain or discomfort

• Difficulty with night vision

• Frequent squinting

Can LASIK fix astigmatism?

Sometimes people turn to glasses to ease symptoms of eye astigmatism, but this is not a permanent solution. So, can LASIK fix astigmatism? Yes! Of course, it is best for patients to visit an experienced ophthalmologist to make sure they safely qualify for treatment. Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center can evaluate your vision and review your options. Our clinic invests in advanced equipment and tools to make sure you get great results.

There are some limitations to LASIK. For example, corneal diseases, like keratoconus, cause the cornea to weaken over time. This means laser correction procedures can compromise your eye health. During your consultation, inform us about your medical and health history so we can make the right recommendations. If we determine LASIK in Birmingham is not right for you, Dr. Choi can offer alternative solutions.

How LASIK works

LASIK surgery is an incision-free procedure, using an advanced laser for precision and effectiveness. Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center begins by creating a very small flap in the cornea. We then reshape the tissue as needed, so light refracts on the retina properly. The corneal flap is carefully put back into place at the end of the surgery. Afterward, Dr. Choi will prescribe soothing eye drops and other medications, so your recovery period is comfortable. Clear vision is usually possible shortly after treatment!

Clear vision is possible if you have astigmatism

Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center is your best option for LASIK and other vision needs. Our staff is extensively trained in topics like astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness so clear vision is within your reach. If you have eye astigmatism, are over 21, and want to learn about your options, meet with Dr. Young H. Choi about LASIK near Birmingham, AL. We are committed to giving you great eyesight for life.