Is LASIK a Permanent Solution for Astigmatism?

If you suffer from astigmatism and nearsightedness, it may be time to look into LASIK surgery for a solution to both of these vision challenges. At Swagel Wootton Eye Institute, we often recommend that clients take advantage of LASIK surgery as a treatment for astigmatism.

Is LASIK Permanent?

Yes, you achieve permanent results with LASIK. During LASIK surgery, our top eye doctors in Mesa and Chandler make corrections by reshaping the cornea of your eye to its normal curvature. We perform many types of laser corrections including astigmatism.

Keep in mind that your vision may decline due to age, illness or injury even after you receive laser surgery.

How Astigmatism Affects Your Vision

Collectively, astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness are known as refractive errors. Slightly misshapen eyes cause refractive errors. When you look in the mirror, you can see the cornea. It’s the clear layer covering the pupil or opening of your eye. Normally, corneas have an evenly round shape similar to ping pong balls. If you have astigmatism, your eye may be shaped more like an oval.

Many people wear eyeglasses to correct refractive errors. There are even contact lenses to correct your vision. However, others seek LASIK surgery to correct for nearsightedness and astigmatism.

LASIK Treatment for Astigmatism

Top eye doctors in Mesa and Chandler can correct astigmatism during LASIK surgery. Precise lasers quickly reshape the cornea, removing the merest amount of tissue. This corrects the cornea by making it rounder.

After the procedure, your vision clears immediately. Depending on the irregularity in your eyes before LASIK, you may require a follow-up procedure to fine-tune your vision. However, most people are happy with the results after one surgery.

The total cost of your surgery depends on whether you require a follow-up and other factors that we will explain during your consultation. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for LASIK surgery. For instance, individuals over 70 are not good candidates for this corrective procedure.

Does LASIK for Astigmatism Have a Good Success Rate?

There are risks associated with every surgical procedure. However, the odds of complications due to laser surgery have gone down dramatically. Today, you have less than a 1% chance of a serious complication due to LASIK.

Ninety percent of those treated with laser surgery end up with 20/20 or 20/40 vision. This includes those seeking LASIK treatment for astigmatism.

If you have questions regarding possible complications related to this treatment, feel free to ask during the consultation. We will tell you if you are a good candidate for laser surgery or if you should seek alternative treatment. For example, you may still be eligible for implantable lenses, PRK for astigmatism and other LASIK alternatives.

LASIK Treatment for Astigmatism in Phoenix

Whether you go ahead with LASIK surgery or choose another treatment for astigmatism, you can get the best vision care from the top eye doctors in Mesa and Chandler. At Swagel Wootton Eye Institute, we offer complete vision care, and you can shop high-quality eyewear at our optical center. Contact us today to set up a consultation for LASIK surgery and all your vision needs.