Want to Fix Your Astigmatism? LASIK Can Help

Have you been living with astigmatism for years and want to be able to see clearly with glasses or contacts? If so, LASIK in Orange County may be the ideal surgery for you. In this article, we will discuss the ways in which LASIK can fix your astigmatism.

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Astigmatism is actually a common condition. Studies have shown that 1 in 3 Americans have astigmatism. The majority of people with astigmatism experience blurry vision and eye strain and depend on glasses or contacts for most of their lifetime. Laser vision correction technology has transformed since its inception three decades ago. Nowadays, people with astigmatism prescriptions can reduce or even completely lose the need for glasses or contacts thanks to LASIK surgery.

Generally speaking, astigmatism is hereditary, which means most people who have astigmatism are born with the condition. A person with astigmatism has an uneven or irregularly shaped eye. Most people have a small degree of astigmatism without even knowing it! When the eye is not perfectly round, light cannot properly focus, and you may ultimately suffer from blurred vision. 

 

Defining a Diopter

A Diopter is a unit of optical power that eye doctors use to measure patients’ vision prescriptions. A perfect eye (“plano”) has 0 Diopter (D). The majority of people have a prescription between .5 to .75 D. 

 

How LASIK Fixes Astigmatism

So you’ve been searching for the best LASIK eye surgery in Orange County and want to know how the procedure can fix your astigmatism. When you undergo LASIK, your Orange County LASIK surgeon utilizes an advanced type of laser technology. The lasers work to reshape your cornea and improve your vision. LASIK can treat the following range of vision prescriptions:

  • Up to 6D of astigmatism
  • Up to -12D of myopia
  • Up to +6D of hyperopia

Some individuals can experience both myopia and astigmatism in their vision prescription. Fortunately, LASIK is able to treat patients with mixed prescriptions. 

 

Are You Qualified for LASIK?

Ultimately, you will need to undergo an evaluation by an eye surgeon to determine if LASIK can indeed fix your astigmatism. The evaluation will aim to answer the surgeon’s questions regarding your qualification for surgery. Your surgeon needs to figure out if your vision prescription is in a treatable range for laser eye surgery.

If you do find out that you qualify for LASIK but are worried about LASIK eye surgery cost, it is important to note that the price has significantly changed over the years. In 2008, LASIK cost an average of $4,000 (in today’s economy, that would be $5,300), but today LASIK costs about $4,400. In the last 15 years, there has been a 20% reduction rate in the price of LASIK surgery. 

Even if you do not qualify for Orange County LASIK, your LASIK surgeon will be able to discuss other vision correction options with you. You always have options. In fact,  you can contact Excel Laser Vision Institute today to book a consultation and learn more about procedures to correct your eyesight.