Can Astigmatism Be Corrected with Laser Eye Surgery?

Astigmatism is one of the most common refractive errors, affecting approximately 47% of the adult population to some degree. It occurs when the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye — is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, with one meridian being steeper than the other. This irregular curvature causes light to focus at two different points rather than a single point on the retina, resulting in blurred or distorted vision at all distances.

A common misconception is that astigmatism cannot be corrected with laser eye surgery. In fact, modern LASIK and PRK are highly effective at treating astigmatism, and the correction of astigmatism is a routine component of most laser eye surgery procedures. The excimer laser selectively reshapes the cornea to equalise its curvature, creating a more spherical surface that focuses light correctly.

LASIK can typically correct up to 6.00 dioptres of astigmatism, though the exact limit depends on the overall prescription and the corneal thickness available for treatment. Wavefront-guided LASIK, which maps and corrects the unique optical imperfections of each individual eye, has been shown to produce superior results for astigmatic patients compared to standard treatments.

For patients who are not suitable for LASIK — due to thin corneas or other factors — PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) provides an excellent alternative with equivalent long-term visual outcomes. PRK can also correct significant levels of astigmatism and avoids the creation of a corneal flap.

When astigmatism is present alongside cataracts or presbyopia, toric intraocular lenses offer an elegant solution. A toric IOL is designed with different optical powers in different meridians of the lens, counteracting the corneal astigmatism and providing clear distance vision without the need for glasses. Toric lenses are available in monofocal, multifocal, and EDOF configurations, allowing simultaneous correction of astigmatism, distance focus, and near vision.

For patients with high myopia and astigmatism who are not suitable for LASIK, toric ICL (implantable contact lens) surgery can correct both conditions simultaneously. The toric Visian ICL corrects astigmatism up to 6.00 dioptres alongside myopia up to -18.00 dioptres, offering outstanding visual quality for patients with complex prescriptions.

Accurate measurement of astigmatism is critical for successful treatment. At K Vision Centre, Miss Tina Khanam uses corneal topography, Pentacam tomography, and optical biometry to precisely quantify both the amount and the axis (orientation) of astigmatism. For toric lens implantation, intra-operative digital alignment systems ensure the lens is positioned at exactly the correct angle inside the eye.

If you have been told that your astigmatism complicates your options for vision correction, a consultation at K Vision Centre may reveal solutions you were not aware of. Miss Khanam has extensive experience treating complex astigmatic prescriptions with LASIK, toric ICL, and toric IOL surgery.

Book your assessment at our Harley Street, Spire Gatwick Park, or Spire St Anthony's clinic to discuss the best approach for correcting your astigmatism.