You may have heard how LASIK can improve people’s lives by correcting vision and helping them to see clearly. Yet, many believe that LASIK can only help those who are nearsighted or farsighted, and that those with astigmatism are simply doomed to wear glasses or contacts. This couldn’t be more untrue. LASIK can correct a variety of refractive errors including astigmatism.
Understanding Astigmatism
Astigmatism is an extremely common refractive error. It affects millions of people in the US. In fact, most people have some degree of astigmatism.
Astigmatism is an abnormality in the shape of the eye that prevents light from focusing onto the retina correctly. This is why those with refractive errors experience blurry vision. What sets astigmatism apart from myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), is that rather than focusing light in front of the retina or behind the retina respectively, light focuses on many points of the retina instead of just one point. Astigmatic eyes come in all different shapes and sizes: some are more nearsighted, some are more farsighted, and some are even mixed between the two.
How Can LASIK Help?
The goal of LASIK is to eliminate refractive errors completely, and it has been very successful in doing so. Over 96% of patients experience immediate vision improvement (many coming out with 20/20 vision or better!), and more still experience improvement with enhancement surgery.
Before LASIK, an intricate map of your cornea is taken by highly specialized computers to map out every single unique irregularity of your eye. During the procedure, a special device called an excimer laser is used to change the shape of the cornea, allowing the cornea to properly focus light.
Am I a LASIK Candidate?
LASIK is a fantastic solution for most people with vision problems, even astigmatism. However, it’s not right for everyone. LASIK is generally only recommended for patients older than 18, because our eyes change shape frequently and rapidly before we are adults. Waiting until they stop changing prevents the surgery from quickly becoming useless. Other factors that can affect eligibility for LASIK include: previous eye injury, pregnancy, diseases such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders, and certain medications. The only way to find out if you are qualified is to talk to a LASIK surgeon, like Dr. Ken Moadel.
The Best Eye Care in NYC
New York Eye Specialists provides a quality eye care experience through a qualified, caring staff. Dr. Moadel has performed over 100,000 surgeries, and has over a decade of experience. Here are New York Eye Specialists, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. Schedule your LASIK consultation today to find out if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery!
