The short answer is yes. In fact, astigmatism is one of the most common refractive errors I correct through laser eye surgery.
What astigmatism actually is
Astigmatism occurs when your cornea or lens is irregularly shaped – more oval than spherical. This can cause blurred vision at all distances, not just near or far. You might experience blurred vision overall, along with eye strain, headaches, or difficulty with night-time driving. Many people have astigmatism combined with short-sightedness or long-sightedness, which can make it feel more complex.
The good news is that laser eye surgery corrects astigmatism as straightforwardly as it corrects short-sightedness or long-sightedness. It’s not a separate category of problem – it’s simply part of your eye’s refractive error and we can address all of it in the same procedure.
Which laser eye surgery procedures work for astigmatism
LASIK, SMILE and transPRK all correct astigmatism effectively. The laser is programmed bespokely for each eye. You’ll have a consultation where we map your cornea precisely to ensure the laser correction is tailored to your individual eye shape. If your prescription is too high, or your corneas too thin for your individual correction, then ICL (implantable contact lens) or RLE (refractive lens exchange may be potential alternatives, both of these correct astigmatism too.
Is astigmatism correction more complex?
No. This is a reassuring point: astigmatism correction is not more complex than correcting other refractive errors. Modern laser technology makes treatment straightforward. The precision mapping we do before surgery accounts for your astigmatism precisely, and the laser delivery is equally straightforward.
Your recovery timeline is the same as for any patient undergoing laser eye surgery who does not have astigmatism.. You’ll see improvement within a few hours and reach full visual stability over a few weeks. There’s no additional risk or downtime simply because you have astigmatism.
Does it cost more to have laser eye surgery if I have astigmatism?
Laser eye surgery for astigmatism costs the same regardless of if you have high or low or no significant astigmatism. The procedure you will experience is identical – the variable is what your individual eye needs to be corrected.
The bottom line
Having astigmatism shouldn’t change your decision-making about laser eye surgery. It’s correctable, it’s not more complex, and it doesn’t cost more. What matters is that you have the right procedure for your specific eyes – and that’s exactly what a proper consultation determines.
If you have astigmatism and have been considering laser eye surgery, the question isn’t whether you can have it. The question is which procedure is right for you.
In summary
Astigmatism is correctable through modern laser eye surgery. It’s not a more complex procedure, it doesn’t cost more, and your recovery is the same as any other laser patient. If you have astigmatism and have been wondering whether laser surgery is an option, the answer is yes.
