Common Visual Problems
Can LASIK correct astigmatism?
Yes, for most people with mild to moderate astigmatism. Here’s what the condition actually is, how laser vision correction fixes it, and what it costs.
The basics
What is astigmatism?
A healthy cornea is round, like the top of a globe. With astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like half a football, so light entering the eye bends unevenly and can’t come to a single point of focus. The result is blurred or distorted vision at any distance.
It’s one of the most common vision problems there is: as many as 1 in 3 people may have it to some degree, and small amounts of it may not noticeably affect your vision at all.
Common symptoms
- Blurry or distorted vision: lines look wavy or crooked
- Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
- Eye strain or fatigue after reading or screen time
- Headaches when vision goes uncorrected
Common causes
- Genetics: it often runs in families
- Eye injury or trauma
- Certain eye surgeries, like cataract surgery
- Corneal disease, such as keratoconus
The fix
How LASIK corrects astigmatism
The laser reshapes the cornea into a more spherical, symmetrical surface, so light comes through to a single point of focus on the retina. If only one eye has astigmatism, only that eye needs treatment.
Before: uneven focus
Light hits the irregular cornea and bends unequally, landing at multiple points instead of one, so the brain gets mixed signals and vision blurs.
The reshape
The laser sculpts the inner layer of the cornea, smoothing the football shape into a rounder, more symmetrical curve, in minutes per eye.
After: single focus
Light focuses to a single point on the retina. Many patients also find the eyestrain and headaches that came with astigmatism fade too.
Watch
Can you treat astigmatism?
What patients get back
Sharper vision
Astigmatism’s refractive error is corrected at the source.
Less dependence on glasses and contacts
Many patients stop needing them altogether.
Fast recovery
Most people are back to normal activities within a few days.
Fewer headaches and less eyestrain
The side effects often fade with the blur.
Cost
What LASIK for astigmatism costs
$1,999–$4,000 per eye
The price depends on your prescription, the technology used and the practice.