Most people have some degree of astigmatism, a common disorder of the eyes that results in visual blur. Contact lenses or spectacles can frequently assist in fixing it. Additionally, laser surgery is a possibility. This article will answer all your questions regarding Astigmatism and if it can be cured with LASIK surgery.
What is Astigmatism?
The retina, the light-sensitive area at the back of the eye, cannot focus light properly due to astigmatism, which is caused by an unevenly shaped cornea or lens. Since the cornea’s surface is not rounded like a basketball but rather more resembles a football, the eye cannot concentrate light rays on a single spot. In this situation, vision blurs at any distance. Additionally, astigmatism may grow or decrease depending on how curved the eye’s lens is. This alteration typically occurs in adults and may come before cataracts commonly form. Astigmatism is usually associated with other vision problems, such as myopia, nearsightedness, and hyperopia, farsightedness. Because they alter how the eyes bend or “refract” light, these vision issues collectively are known as refractive errors.
Astigmatism is frequently inherited, meaning it comes from your parents. Additionally, the cornea may be pressed upon by the eyelids. Over time, it could grow better or worse. Astigmatism can occasionally develop following an eye injury or procedure. A condition known as keratoconus is an additional factor. The cornea in this syndrome gradually thins and takes on a more cone-shaped form. You have severe astigmatism as a result. Some keratoconus sufferers require a corneal transplant.
A frequent ailment of the eyes is astigmatism. Astigmatism affects one in three persons to some extent. It can occur in conjunction with nearsightedness or farsightedness.
What are the symptoms of Astigmatism?
Astigmatism can cause several symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, eye strain, blurry vision (at all distances), and the need to squint to see well. These signs and symptoms can also be found in several other diseases. An eye doctor can assist in making the diagnosis. The diagnosis of astigmatism in children might be challenging. It frequently goes unnoticed because kids might not complain that their eyesight is blurry. Consult your kid’s healthcare professional if your youngster complains of persistent headaches or eye problems.
What are the different types of Astigmatism?
Astigmatism comes in a few distinct forms. The primary kind is astigmatism of the cornea. The cornea is not spherical; it is shaped like an egg. The lens, not the cornea, is affected by lenticular astigmatism. Images cannot reach the retina because of flaws in the lens. Although it is possible to have both, individuals with this kind of astigmatism frequently have a cornea with an original condition.
What is LASIK?
LASIK vision restoration surgery is a well-established and commonly utilised laser-based refractive treatment. LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses) surgery is performed as a substitute for spectacles and contact lenses. The translucent tissue at the front of the eye is altered using a particular cutting laser to increase vision (cornea).
Among the typical risk factors for LASIK eye surgery is eye dryness. The eyes might feel extremely dry for the first six months or longer after the operation while recouping, and dry eyes can affect the quality of vision. For the treatment of dry eyes, the eye doctor could suggest eye drops. Other LASIK surgical danger includes glare, halos, and double vision. Following surgery, the patient may experience difficulty seeing at night, typically lasting for several days to several weeks. Possible symptoms include increased sensitivity to light, glare, colour fringing around bright lights, or double vision. Another risk factor for the therapy is under corrections. If the laser eliminates a small amount of tissue from the eye, the desired results of clearer vision will not be achieved. Nearsighted people are more in need of adjustments. They would need another LASIK procedure to remove more tissue within a year. Over Corrections is another danger factor. The laser may occasionally burn too much eye tissue, causing overcorrections. Compared to under-corrections, overcorrections may be more challenging to address. Changes or loss of vision In rare instances, surgical complications might result in vision loss, and some patients may not be able to see as well as they once could.
Does LASIK surgery cure astigmatism?
LASIK surgery is one of the most prevalent eye operations for treating blurry vision caused by myopia and hypermetropia. There are questions regarding whether LASIK can correct astigmatism since treating short-sightedness and long-sightedness is the standard, and astigmatism cases are less common. Let’s first define astigmatism to respond to your query. Individuals with astigmatism experience fuzzy vision as a result of their eye condition. It occurs when the lens within your eye is asymmetrically formed or your cornea, which should be a perfect circle, is oval. Both times, the affected person experiences various astigmatisms that impair their eyesight. Yes, in most instances, LASIK can cure astigmatism, and the operation is permanent. Astigmatism is not an illness, like short- and long-sightedness, but a refractive defect. Those with astigmatism are typically given a cylindrical number for their corrective glasses. But LASIK can let you do away with your prescription glasses. A person is eligible for this surgical procedure if their cylindrical number is less than 4. The LASIK laser can then remodel your cornea into a more regular or symmetrical shape to correct blurry vision. For those with a higher number, LASIK is not safe and cannot be relied upon to solve the issue. The situation gets a little trickier if a person has myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, in addition to one or more refractive errors. The doctor re-evaluates the power and determines if the eye qualifies for LASIK surgery. You cannot have a successful operation if your prescription number is too high for any or both of the faults. Before choosing it as a treatment option, you must be a candidate for LASIK.
What type of astigmatism can LASIK not fix?
Only corneal astigmatism can be treated with LASIK since it alters the cornea. There will be no impact on lenticular astigmatism. Astigmatism comes in two primary varieties: regular and irregular. This article has only discussed the common subtype of astigmatism, which is the most prevalent. Irregular astigmatism is brought on by damage to the eye or disorders that affect the cornea, including keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, epithelial basement membrane dystrophy, and others. Regular astigmatism is more challenging to treat with refractive surgery, and LASIK is typically not a choice. Even astigmatism that is considered to be severe may be treated with LASIK since the treatment parameters are somewhat forgiving. If the astigmatism is challenging, we will need to decide if surgery is still viable and safe for therapy.
