The team at Broberg Eye Care has helped patients in and around the greater Austin area thanks to state-of-the-art laser vision correction surgery options such as LASIK. LASIK is an effective means of addressing some of the most common problems that people have with their vision today. This includes astigmatism, a topic that we’d like to consider in brief right now.

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism refers to a general blurring of the vision. It can happen on its own, though it can also accompany other refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness). You may have heard the term “stigmatism” used to apply to astigmatism. This is a misnomer, and while colloquially accepted by many people, “stigmatism” is not the proper term for astigmatism.

Common Causes of Astigmatism

Astigmatism is often caused by a misshapen eye. Ideally the eye should be spherical, though sometimes the eye’s shape is not so round and more oblong in nature. This may be the result of a poor contour for the cornea, the lens, or a combination of the two.

When the eye is not properly shaped, light refracts onto multiple parts of the retina rather than a single point. This leads to blurriness of vision.

How effective is LASIK at treating astigmatism?

LASIK is very effective at treating astigmatism and other refractive errors. Thanks to LASIK, patients who suffered from astigmatism are able to see clearly without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

Ideal Candidates for LASIK

The best candidates for LASIK are patients who are at least 18 years old who have had a stable vision prescription for a year. The should have not suffered from an eye injury or infection during this year-long period either. Patients should also not be pregnant or nursing at the time of LASIK surgery. It’s important that LASIK candidates have good corneal thickness and that they not suffer from dry eye syndrome.

Ultimately, having realistic expectations about LASIK surgery and what it can achieve is particularly important for the procedure. This helps improve patient satisfaction and means better results overall.

Alternatives to LASIK for Non-Candidates

If a patient suffers from astigmatism but is not an ideal candidate for LASIK, there are surgical and non-surgical treatments that can address his or her needs.

In terms of surgical LASIK alternatives, procedures such as PRK or LASEK may be ideal. CK is another option to consider that may help address your issue with astigmatism. With regard to non-surgical LASIK alternatives, the best options tend to be glasses or contact lenses.

Weighing All of Your Options for Eye Care

During a consultation with our vision correction team, we will be sure to cover all of the potential treatments that are out there so that you can achieve excellent eyesight. We will make sure that the treatment that you undergo will be most ideal for you and your needs.

Schedule a Consultation at Broberg Eye Care

To learn more about LASIK as well as your other options available for advanced and effective vision correction, we encourage you to contact our advanced vision correction center today. At Broberg Eye Care, we will help you achieve excellent vision and good overall eye health in the process.