LASIK & Astigmatism-What to Know

“LASIK for astigmatism is not only possible-but we use it all the time as an excellent way to correct vision”, said Corneal Specialist and LASIK Surgeon JoAnn C. Chang, M.D. of D’Ambrosio Eye Care. “Astigmatism is something that is often confusing to patients. Also, in addition to being confused by what astigmatism is, a lot of people are under the incorrect impression that having astigmatism means you can’t have laser eye surgery such as LASIK to correct your vision”, commented Dr. Chang.

Here is what you need to know about LASIK and astigmatism. First, astigmatism is one of the common types of refractive problems that cause blurry vision. Common refractive, or eye focus problems, include nearsightedness or myopia, farsightedness or hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia.

Astigmatism usually results from an unequal curvature of the cornea, the outermost clear dome in the front of the eye that causes the eye to have two different curvatures and thus two different focal points. This can make images look more blurry at a specific orientation so that things horizontally are blurred or things vertically are blurred, depending on the direction of the astigmatism. Astigmatism can be very annoying visually and can even cause headaches and many visual symptoms apart from the blurriness itself. The visual distortions caused by astigmatism in healthy eyes are correctable with eyeglasses, contact lenses and laser vision correction such as LASIK. During the early years after the initial FDA approval of laser vision correction, the treatment of astigmatism was not yet approved and released in the United States. Shortly thereafter all of the FDA approved lasers were able to be programmed for astigmatism correction and received FDA approval to do so. Astigmatism has been correctable with Laser Eye Surgery for more than 15 years in the United States. “Today, as LASIK surgeons, we are able to accurately measure and treat all types of astigmatism with high degrees of precision and predictability,” said Dr. Chang.

If you or someone you know has astigmatism and would like to be less dependent or possibly even free from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses for seeing at distance, please call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937 for your free consultation for laser eye surgery for the laser vision correction of astigmatism. You may also request an appointment at facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.
D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice serving Athol, Acton, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.