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An imperfection involving the curvature of the patient’s lens or cornea may cause an eye condition known as astigmatism. For normal eyes, the lens and cornea are smooth and tend to be curved equally in all possible directions.
As a result, light rays can focus sharply on the retina. Light entering the eye cannot be refracted properly if the lens and cornea are not evenly curved and smooth.
The result is a refractive error. Both lenticular and corneal astigmatism will cause your vision to appear distorted and blurred when looking at far and near objects.
Astigmatism is quite common, but physicians are not sure why cornea or lens shape differs so much from person to person. However, there may be a link between astigmatism and hereditary factors.
You may be dealing with astigmatism if you suffer from frequent headaches, eye strain, discomfort, distorted or blurry vision, or need to squint to see things. Lasik is a form of eye surgery that corrects refractive errors. It can be used to treat astigmatism so that the patient no longer needs to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Role of Lasik Eye Surgery in Astigmatism Correction
A tiny quantity of corneal tissue is extracted so the surgeon can rectify the asymmetrical curvature of the patient’s cornea. The result is that the eye becomes more round instead of oval-shaped.
Light can focus on a singular point of the patient’s retina, allowing them to see more clearly. If you are currently dealing with astigmatism, and are tired of wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses, then Lasik may serve as a permanent cure for your astigmatism.
The role of Lasik eye surgery is to reshape the eyes to help them focus on items more clearly and sharply. It is a corrective refractive procedure that will usually produce lifelong results.
Advantages of Lasik Eye Surgery
Lasik will serve as a permanent solution to your astigmatism or other vision problems. Only a small number of patients will require a second procedure in the future. You will no longer need to wear contact lenses in many instances.
Contact lenses can cause eyes to become dry, itchy, red, and irritated. They can also become dirty and may require frequent cleanings and replacements. Lasik is also a cost-effective procedure.
People who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses must replace their corrective eyewear every 2 to 3 years. $500 can easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars over the course of a person’s lifetime.
While Lasik may have a higher upfront cost, it will quickly pay for itself within a few years. If you are interested in clearer and better vision, then Lasik may be right for you. Another benefit of Lasik is that the results are almost immediate.
You will be able to enjoy clearer and better vision a few hours after the procedure in most cases. You will also be able to return to work in a few days, so the recovery time is also very quick. It should also be noted that Lasik is a pain-free surgery.
You will be provided numbing drops before the procedure, so you will not feel any pain or discomfort. If you are nervous about the procedure, your doctor may give you a mild sedative to help you relax.
Lasik also has the added benefit of helping patients with allergies. If you used to suffer from watery or runny eyes, puffiness, and other irritation issues during the summer, then Lasik may also provide relief for your seasonal allergies.
Post-Lasik Surgery Tips for Astigmatism
It is important to get 8 hours of sleep after the procedure. Rest is essential. Avoid screens while recovering. You do not want to exacerbate eye strain, so avoid texting or playing video games for a few days.
Your eyes must also be cool and hydrated to prevent dry eyes. Use the eye drops that your eye surgeon has prescribed. Any cosmetic products, such as eyeliner, or other makeup products, should also be avoided for at least seven days after Lasik.
Extreme weather conditions should also be avoided while you heal. Extreme cold and hot temperatures should be avoided. Wear sunglasses if you need to go outside when it’s sunny.
Closing Thoughts
If you are dealing with astigmatism, your eyes will be dealing with a curve resembling a football’s shape. When the curvature is longer in one section, you will have trouble seeing objects near or far from you.
Lasik is designed to smoothen out the abnormal curvature so that the corneas are more equally round.
Sources:
Lasik for Astigmatism: What to Expect (healthline.com)