Can You Correct Astigmatism Without Surgery?
At a glance: Yes. Most astigmatism is corrected without surgery using glasses, toric soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses or scleral lenses. LASIK is one option for some adults, but it is a choice, not a requirement.
"I was told I can't wear contacts because of my astigmatism." That was true decades ago. It isn't now.
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism means the cornea, or sometimes the lens inside the eye, is curved more in one direction than the other, more like a football than a basketball. Light focuses in two places instead of one, so vision is blurry or stretched at every distance. Common signs are shadowed letters, glare and streaks around headlights, and eye strain or headaches after reading.
Most astigmatism is regular: the two curves sit at right angles and are easy to correct. Irregular astigmatism, from keratoconus, a corneal scar or past surgery, is uneven and needs specialty lenses. Corneal topography, which we do on every patient, tells the two apart.
Option 1: Glasses
Glasses correct regular astigmatism very well. The lens has two powers set at the exact angle of your astigmatism. Precise measurement and precise fitting matter: the lens must be set in the frame at the right angle and centered on your eyes. Our opticians check every pair. See custom lens choices.
Option 2: Toric soft contact lenses
Toric lenses have astigmatism correction built in, with a design that keeps them from rotating. They come in daily disposables and two-week or monthly lenses. If your eyes are dry, we treat that first so lenses stay comfortable.
Option 3: Rigid gas permeable lenses
These firm, breathable lenses keep their own shape. Tears fill the space under the lens and smooth out the astigmatism, often giving sharper vision than soft lenses for higher amounts.
Option 4: Scleral lenses for irregular astigmatism
Scleral lenses vault over the cornea and rest on the white of the eye, with saline underneath that creates a new, smooth optical surface. For keratoconus, scars or past surgery, they can turn vision that glasses can't fix into clear, comfortable vision. Read keratoconus and scleral lenses and our specialty contacts page.
Option 5: DreamSculpt Ortho-K
Ortho-K lenses are worn while you sleep and gently reshape the cornea so you can see during the day without glasses or contacts. Ortho-K is used mainly for nearsightedness and for slowing myopia in children, and some designs also correct lower amounts of astigmatism. See DreamSculpt Ortho-K.
What about surgery?
LASIK, PRK and toric lens implants during cataract surgery can correct astigmatism for some adults. We can evaluate whether you are a candidate and refer you to a surgeon. But you never need surgery just to see clearly with astigmatism.
Astigmatism that keeps increasing, especially in teens and young adults, can be an early sign of keratoconus, so it is worth mapping the cornea.
Call us right away or go to the emergency room for sudden vision loss, a curtain or shadow over your vision, new flashes of light or a sudden shower of floaters, severe eye pain with nausea or halos, or a chemical splash in the eye.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear contacts if I have astigmatism?
Yes. Toric soft lenses correct most astigmatism, and rigid or scleral lenses correct higher or irregular amounts.
Can astigmatism go away on its own?
Regular astigmatism is usually fairly stable in adults. It doesn't go away, but it is easy to correct.
Are toric contact lenses uncomfortable?
Modern toric lenses are as comfortable as other soft lenses for most people. If they feel dry, treating dry eye usually helps.
Do I need to correct mild astigmatism?
Not always, but if you have eye strain, headaches or night glare, correcting even mild astigmatism can make a real difference.
Visit Reimbold Eye Group in Alpharetta
Ready to see sharper, with or without glasses? Book online or call 770-776-9000. We are at 4180 Old Milton Pkwy 1-D, Alpharetta, GA 30005, open Tuesday to Thursday 10 am to 6 pm, Friday 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.