Yes, many people with astigmatism can have vision correction. The right option depends on your prescription, corneal thickness, age, eye health, lifestyle, and whether you also have myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, or cataracts.
At our Abbotsford eye clinic, we regularly meet patients who have been told their eyes are “too complicated” for surgery because of astigmatism. In many cases, astigmatism can be treated safely and effectively with modern options such as PRK, Implantable Contact Lenses, Refractive Lens Exchange, or laser-assisted cataract surgery.
The key is careful testing. Astigmatism is not one-size-fits-all, so your treatment should not be either.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that happens when the eye does not focus light evenly. Instead of being shaped like a smooth basketball, the cornea or lens may be curved more like a football. This uneven curve causes light to focus at more than one point inside the eye, which can make vision blurry, shadowed, distorted, or strained.
Astigmatism often occurs along with:
- Myopia, or nearsightedness
- Hyperopia, or farsightedness
- Presbyopia, or age-related reading vision changes
- Cataracts
Because astigmatism is a structural focusing issue, eye exercises, screen breaks, or diet changes cannot reshape the cornea or lens. Healthy habits are still important for comfort and long-term eye health, but they cannot correct astigmatism itself. For a deeper explanation, you may also find our blog on astigmatism causes, symptoms, and treatment helpful.
Can Astigmatism Be Corrected With Surgery?
In many cases, yes. Astigmatism can often be corrected by reshaping the cornea, adding a prescription lens inside the eye, or replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens.
Your best option may depend on three main factors:
- Where the astigmatism comes from: the cornea, the natural lens, or both
- How much astigmatism you have: mild, moderate, or high
- What else your eyes need: distance correction, reading vision support, cataract treatment, or long-term stability
A detailed consultation allows us to measure the shape, thickness, and health of your eyes before recommending a plan.
Vision Correction Options For Astigmatism
PRK For Astigmatism
PRK is a laser vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea so light focuses more accurately on the retina. It can treat astigmatism as well as myopia or hyperopia in suitable candidates.
PRK may be recommended when:
- Your corneas are thinner
- You are not a good candidate for flap-based surgery
- You want a tissue-sparing laser option
- Your prescription is stable
- Your eye surface is healthy enough for healing
During PRK, the outer surface layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is gently removed. The laser then reshapes the cornea. A bandage contact lens is placed while the surface heals.
PRK recovery is usually slower than some other forms of vision correction. Most patients should expect irritation, light sensitivity, tearing, and fluctuating vision in the first several days. Functional vision often improves gradually over the first week, with continued refinement over several weeks to months. You can learn more in our blog on why PRK recovery is slower but stable long-term.
ICL For Astigmatism
Implantable Contact Lenses may be an excellent option for people with moderate to high prescriptions, thin corneas, or dry eye concerns. Instead of reshaping the cornea, ICL surgery places a soft, biocompatible lens inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens.
For patients with astigmatism, a toric ICL may be considered. “Toric” means the lens is designed to correct astigmatism as well as nearsightedness or farsightedness. This can be especially helpful for patients who were previously told they were not ideal candidates for laser eye surgery BC options.
ICL recovery is often relatively quick. Many patients notice clearer vision within the first few days, although healing, adaptation, and follow-up care remain important. Temporary glare, halos, dryness, or light sensitivity can occur, and we will review what to expect based on your eyes. For more background, read our blog on the ICL upgrade available for people with astigmatism.
Refractive Lens Exchange For Astigmatism
Refractive Lens Exchange may be recommended for adults who are beginning to notice age-related focusing changes, especially those over 40 who want to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
RLE removes the eye’s natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens. If astigmatism is present, a toric lens implant may be used to improve focusing accuracy. Depending on your goals, advanced lens options may also help address distance, intermediate, and near vision needs.
RLE can be especially valuable for patients with presbyopia because it treats the aging lens directly. It also prevents future cataracts in that eye because the natural lens has already been replaced.
Recovery after RLE varies by patient, but vision often begins improving within days. Some fluctuations, glare, halos, dryness, and adaptation to the new lens can occur during the healing period. Most people continue improving over the following weeks.
Cataract Surgery For Astigmatism
If cataracts are affecting your vision, laser-assisted cataract surgery can often address both the cloudy lens and astigmatism at the same time. This is done by replacing the cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens implant, sometimes a toric intraocular lens.
Astigmatism correction during cataract surgery can help improve clarity and reduce dependence on glasses after surgery, although results depend on your prescription, eye health, and lens choice.
Cataract surgery recovery is usually comfortable for most patients. Vision may improve within the first few days, with continued healing over several weeks. Drops, activity guidelines, and follow-up visits are important to support healing and monitor your results.
What About LASIK For Astigmatism?
LASIK can correct astigmatism in some settings, but we no longer perform LASIK at our clinic due to long-term safety concerns. Our approach is built around procedures we believe offer strong safety, stability, and suitability for a wide range of eyes.
Patients who search for LASIK because they want freedom from glasses may still have excellent alternatives. Depending on your eyes, PRK, ICL, RLE, or cataract surgery may be more appropriate. Our goal is not to fit you into one procedure. It is to recommend the safest and most predictable option for your anatomy.
How We Determine Your Best Option
Astigmatism treatment begins with advanced diagnostics. During your consultation, we assess:
- Your exact prescription
- Corneal thickness and shape
- Tear film and dry eye status
- Pupil size
- Lens clarity
- Retinal health
- Age and reading vision needs
- Lifestyle, work demands, and visual goals
Corneal thickness is especially important for laser procedures. If the cornea is too thin or irregular, reshaping it may not be the safest path. In that case, ICL or lens-based procedures may be considered. Our blog on corneal thickness and vision correction explains why this measurement matters so much.
Book A Personalized Astigmatism Consultation
If you have astigmatism and want to know whether vision correction is possible, we would be happy to help you explore your options. We use detailed diagnostics, advanced technology, and a personalized planning process to recommend the procedure that best fits your eyes.
Book a consultation with us to learn whether PRK, ICL, Refractive Lens Exchange, or cataract surgery may be right for you. No pressure, no guesswork, just clear guidance based on your vision and your long-term eye health.
Start by booking a consultation page or learn more about our approach to vision correction procedures.
