For Los Angeles residents seeking freedom from the daily hassle of glasses and contact lenses, LASIK surgery often represents the ultimate goal. This popular vision correction procedure has transformed the lives of millions, promising clearer sight and a less dependent lifestyle.

However, a common question arises, particularly for many LA patients: Can LASIK successfully correct astigmatism, and is it truly the right path for your eyes?

The short and encouraging answer is yes, for most cases. Modern LASIK technology is highly effective at treating astigmatism alongside other refractive errors. However, success depends on a detailed, individual evaluation.

Understanding Astigmatism

Astigmatism is an incredibly common vision issue that affects how the eye processes light, leading to blurred or distorted vision.

What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a type of refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea (the clear front dome of the eye) or, less commonly, an irregularly shaped lens inside the eye. Instead of being perfectly spherical, like a basketball, an eye with astigmatism is shaped more like a football.

This uneven curvature prevents light from focusing on a single point on the retina, causing the image to be stretched or blurred.

Symptoms of Astigmatism

While the primary symptom is blurred vision at any distance, people with astigmatism often experience:

• Headaches or eye strain, especially after reading.
• Squinting to see clearly.
• Trouble seeing at night, often accompanied by glare or halos around lights.
• Distorted vision (e.g., circles appearing oval).

How LASIK Works

LASIK is an outpatient surgical procedure that uses advanced laser technology to reshape the cornea, thereby changing the eye’s focusing power and correcting refractive errors like astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

1. Creating the Flap: The procedure begins with the surgeon creating a thin, hinged flap in the outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, usually using a precise femtosecond laser (a type of “all-laser” LASIK). This flap is then gently folded back.
2. Reshaping the Cornea: The exposed underlying corneal tissue is then reshaped using a computer-guided excimer laser. For astigmatism, the laser precisely and painlessly ablates (removes) microscopic tissue from the steeper meridians of the cornea, making its curvature more spherical and uniform.
3. Replacing the Flap: Once the reshaping is complete, the corneal flap is carefully repositioned to cover the treated area. It adheres naturally and begins to heal immediately, acting as a natural bandage.

The procedure is quick, typically taking less than 15 minutes for both eyes. Most patients notice significantly clearer vision within 24 hours and can return to normal activities quickly.

Also Read: The Top 5 Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery You May Not Know

Can LASIK Correct Astigmatism?

The effectiveness of LASIK in correcting astigmatism has dramatically increased with the advent of customized, wavefront-guided or topography-guided laser systems.

Reshaping the Irregular Surface

LASIK’s primary function is to reshape the irregular corneal surface that causes astigmatism. By precisely flattening the steepest curve and slightly steepening the flattest curve, the excimer laser can transform the football-shaped cornea into a more basketball-like shape, allowing light to focus sharply on the retina.

Effectiveness and Limitations

• Low to Moderate Astigmatism: LASIK is highly effective and is the gold standard treatment for mild to moderate astigmatism, often correcting it completely along with any accompanying nearsightedness or farsightedness.
• High Astigmatism: While modern lasers can treat a significant range, there are treatment limits. Generally, LASIK can correct up to 5 to 6 diopters of astigmatism, depending on the specific laser and the overall health of the eye.
• Corneal Thickness: The main limitation, especially in cases of high astigmatism, is the thickness of the cornea. Sufficient tissue must remain after the reshaping to maintain the eye’s structural integrity. Patients with thin corneas, or whose astigmatism is too high for the amount of tissue available, may be better candidates for an alternative procedure.

Who Makes a Good Candidate in Los Angeles

Determining LASIK candidacy for astigmatism requires a comprehensive evaluation, but there are general criteria to consider before scheduling a consultation.

General Eligibility Criteria

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Stable Prescription: Your prescription, including the degree of astigmatism, must have been stable for at least one year.
• Overall Eye Health: You should have no current eye diseases (like severe dry eye, glaucoma, or cataracts) or systemic health conditions (like uncontrolled diabetes or certain autoimmune disorders) that could impair healing.
• Sufficient Corneal Thickness: A thorough evaluation will confirm you have enough corneal tissue for the procedure.

Importance of a Comprehensive Eye Exam

For LA patients, the most important step is a comprehensive eye exam with a specialized LASIK surgeon. This examination goes far beyond a routine eye check and includes:

• Corneal Topography: A detailed, 3D mapping of your corneal curvature to quantify and locate the exact irregularities causing your astigmatism.
• Wavefront Analysis: Measuring how light passes through your eye to create a highly personalized treatment profile.

This ensures the safest and most customized treatment plan, whether for LASIK or an alternative.

Also Read: LASIK Prep Guide: What Patients Should Know Before Surgery

Benefits of LASIK for Astigmatism

For those found to be good candidates, the benefits of correcting astigmatism with LASIK can be life-changing.

• Reduced or Eliminated Dependence on Corrective Lenses: The most significant advantage is the potential to entirely shed or greatly reduce your reliance on glasses or toric contact lenses.
• Quick Results and Recovery: Most patients experience dramatically clearer vision within 24 hours and can resume most daily activities, including driving, within a day or two.
• High Success Rates: LASIK for astigmatism boasts high success rates, with the vast majority of patients achieving 20/20 or 20/40 vision or better.
• Long-Term Cost Savings: While the upfront cost is considerable, LASIK is often a long-term cost-effective solution when compared to the ongoing expense of new glasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses over a decade or more.

Risks and Considerations

As with any surgery, LASIK carries potential risks and side effects, which must be thoroughly discussed with your surgeon.

• Common Side Effects: The most frequent temporary side effects include dry eyes, which can last a few weeks to months, and visual disturbances like glare, halos, or starbursts around lights, particularly at night. These generally improve as the eyes heal.
• Rare Complications: Rare but possible complications include infection, flap-related issues, or under/overcorrection, which may necessitate a touch-up procedure (enhancement).
• Minimizing Risks: The most effective way to minimize risks is by choosing an experienced Los Angeles LASIK surgeon who uses the latest diagnostic and laser technology, ensuring a highly precise and customized treatment plan.

Alternatives If You Are Not a Candidate

If your astigmatism is too severe, your corneas are too thin, or you have other complicating factors, you are not out of options. Modern ophthalmology offers several effective alternatives:

• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Often recommended for patients with thinner corneas or who have professions (like contact sports athletes) where a corneal flap could be at risk. PRK reshapes the cornea’s surface without creating a flap. The recovery is slightly longer, but the final results are comparable to LASIK.
• Toric Intraocular Lenses (IOLs): These are specialized lenses surgically implanted inside the eye to correct high degrees of astigmatism. This is a common solution for people whose astigmatism is related to the natural lens (lenticular astigmatism) or for those approaching the age of needing cataract surgery.
• Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): A non-surgical option that involves wearing specially designed, rigid contact lenses overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. This effect lasts throughout the day, providing clear vision without daytime lenses.

Also Read: LASIK vs. PRK: Which Vision Correction Option Is Best for You?

Cost of LASIK in Los Angeles for Astigmatism

The cost of LASIK in Los Angeles, one of the leading cities for advanced medical procedures, reflects the high level of care and technology involved.

• Typical Price Range: While pricing can range broadly, a fair estimate for a premium, all-laser procedure in the LA area is typically between $2,000 to $4,500 per eye. Be wary of advertised “bargain” prices, which often do not include the necessary advanced technology or comprehensive post-operative care.
• Factors Affecting Cost:
  • Surgeon Experience: Highly experienced and renowned specialists often charge more.
  • Technology Used: All-laser LASIK (femtosecond technology) and customized, wavefront-guided treatment are considered premium services.
  • Included Services: A quality fee includes the initial consultation, the procedure, and a full year of follow-up care.
• Insurance and Financing: LASIK is generally considered an elective procedure and is not covered by most medical insurance. However, many reputable centers offer financing options and accept Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds.

Choosing the Right LASIK Surgeon in Los Angeles

Your choice of surgeon is the single most important factor in the success and safety of your LASIK procedure.

What to Look For:

• Board Certification and Experience: Select a surgeon who is board-certified and specializes in refractive surgery, with a proven track record of thousands of successful procedures.
• Advanced Technology: Ensure the practice utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostic and laser equipment necessary for customized, astigmatism-correcting treatment (e.g., all-laser Z-LASIK).
• Patient Reviews and Consultation: Read patient reviews and, most importantly, schedule a personalized consultation to assess the surgeon’s approach, ask detailed questions, and feel confident in their care.

Conclusion

LASIK is a powerful, effective, and safe solution for correcting astigmatism in the vast majority of Los Angeles patients. Modern advancements in laser technology have made it a highly precise procedure, offering the promise of clear, glass-free vision.

However, your specific eye anatomy is unique, and the only way to confirm if LASIK is the optimal choice, or if an alternative like PRK is better, is through a personalized, in-depth evaluation.

Schedule your complimentary, comprehensive LASIK consultation with Soroudi Advanced LASIK and Eye Centers today. Our experienced team in Los Angeles is committed to providing you with the highest level of customized, expert care to achieve your best possible vision.