The answer might surprise you.
If you’ve found our blog, chances are good it’s because you have astigmatism and you’re wondering if you could be a good candidate for Lasik. If this is the case, you’ve come to the right place. While individuals with astigmatism can be great candidates for Lasik, here’s what our Manhattan, NY, ophthalmologists Dr. Christopher Coad and Dr. Jay Yoon want you to know about getting Lasik.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. As a result, those with astigmatism may experience blurry or distorted vision up close or far away. Most people with astigmatism are born with it and can correct it with prescription glasses or contact lenses from our New York, NY & Manhattan, NY, ophthalmology team. Of course, when you’re tired of having to take your contacts in and out all the time, you may wonder whether you should get Lasik.
What is Lasik?
Lasik is a laser eye surgery that corrects vision, particularly refractive errors. This means that people with nearsightedness or farsightedness can correct their vision with Lasik. This quick, painless procedure is performed right here in our office. It takes only a few minutes to reshape the cornea (about 15 minutes to correct both eyes). Numbing drops are applied to the eyes beforehand so you won’t feel discomfort.
Am I a Good Candidate for Lasik?
Maybe you’ve heard that if you have astigmatism, you aren’t a candidate for Lasik, but that’s not the case. We can correct astigmatism with a Lasik laser, creating a more symmetrical cornea. Once we correct the cornea, you’ll notice the improved vision. Of course, we will need to determine your type of astigmatism and the severity to ensure you qualify for Lasik. Thanks to our advanced technology, most individuals with astigmatism are also ideal candidates for Lasik.
If you are interested in getting Lasik from our expert eye team here in Manhattan, NY, call Chelsea Eye Ophthalmology at (212) 220-0066 to schedule a consultation.