Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a laser eye surgery that corrects the cornea’s shape. Many believe and consider it as a long-term alternative to graded eyeglasses and contacts, as this can significantly improve vision by permanently and correctly reshaping the cornea.
An expert and specialist eye surgeon uses a microkeratome to create a corneal flap and reach the underlying corneal tissue to reshape the cornea. By doing so, a patient’s refractive errors can be treated and their vision greatly improved.
As LASIK becomes more popular around the world, many people are starting to get curious about it. Here is a quick guide on how you can undergo LASIK and whether it can treat astigmatism alongside promoting clearer vision.
Requirements for Undergoing LASIK
For you to be eligible for LASIK surgery, you should meet certain criteria. These criteria ensure that the procedure will be successful and safe.
A person undergoing LASIK should be or have:
- Between 18 to 45 years old
- Refractive vision problem, such as astigmatism
- Graded eyeglasses or contact prescription that has remained the same for the past 12 months
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding
You should also remember that after surgery, you shouldn’t participate in contact sports that may damage or affect your eyes. Doctors recommend that you do not perform contact sports for at least one month.
What Is Astigmatism?
One of the most common refractive errors in the eye is astigmatism. In fact, many people have astigmatism, only that it comes in different degrees that sometimes make it unnoticeable. Astigmatism happens when the cornea is asymmetrical. Many people with this eye problem suffer from vision problems, such as blurry or distorted vision, as it distorts the light that enters the eye’s lens. It prevents light from directly falling onto the retina.
Some common symptoms of astigmatism include:
- Headaches
- Eyestrain
- Eye excessive squinting
- Worsened night vision
- Starbursts (bright flashes of light)
Can LASIK Correct Astigmatism?
When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved the use of LASIK, treating astigmatism through this surgery was not yet supported. It wasn’t until the next decade when it became common for treating astigmatism. Now that the technology used in this laser eye surgery continually improves, its effect on astigmatism has grown and become more successful.
There are two types of LASIK procedures that can be done to correct astigmatism, which include Wavefront-Guided and Femtosecond LASIK. The former fixes irregularities and complex curvatures in the cornea, while the latter correct refractive errors by creating incisions on the eye. These two can significantly correct your astigmatism. However, determining what type of LASIK should be performed depends on the severity and type of astigmatism you have.
According to expert eye surgeons, a LASIK surgery can correct astigmatism with up to 3.0 diopters. A diopter is a unit of measurement of the refractive power of a lens. Since most astigmatism does not exceed the 3.0 mark, LASIK is an ideal procedure for many people to effectively correct their astigmatism. With continuous follow-ups with your doctor, laser eye surgery can significantly correct your astigmatism.
Conclusion
LASIK continues to grow in popularity today as many people attest to its ability to provide better vision. Aside from that, it can also correct refractive errors, such as astigmatism, by reshaping the cornea. Either through Wavefront-Guided or Femtosecond LASIK, this laser eye surgery can significantly improve your vision and permanently correct astigmatism, provided that proper care is given and follow-up sessions are conducted.
If you are looking for the best laser eye clinic in Abbotsford, BC, get in touch with us today! You can ensure your eye health and safety with us as our experts give the best quality and safest laser eye surgery to our clients.
