Treatment Options for Astigmatism

Astigmatism-caused blurred vision can be corrected with glasses or by refractive surgery.

Corrective Lenses

• Contact lenses: a wide variety is available — hard, soft, extended wear, disposable, rigid gas permeable, and bifocal
• Eyeglasses

Refractive Surgery

This process reshapes the surface of the eye. The laser-based surgical procedures mentioned below have all but replaced Radical Keratotomy, which was used for over a decade in the US starting in the 1970's.

• LASIK surgery (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) involves a thin, circular hinged cut into the cornea. The surgeon lifts the flap and then uses an excimer laser (non-heat producing) to sculpt the shape of the cornea under the flap.
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) involves removal of the outer protective layer of the cornea, then changing the curvature of the cornea with an excimer laser.
• LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratomileusis: used for people at high risk for eye injury.