Astigmatism. When the cornea isn't perfectly round.
Astigmatism distorts vision at every distance - but it's almost always correctable. Most cases are treated alongside myopia or hyperopia in a single procedure.
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An irregularly shaped cornea scatters light instead of focusing it.
A normal cornea is shaped like a basketball - symmetrical in every direction. An astigmatic cornea is shaped more like a football, with one curve steeper than the other.
The result: light entering the eye focuses at multiple points, producing blur, ghosting, or distortion. Modern LASIK, SMILE, and toric IOLs can correct most cases of astigmatism alongside whatever other refractive correction you need.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, DO, MGM · Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
What you may be noticing.
Blurry or distorted vision at all distances
Eye strain and headaches after extended visual tasks
Squinting to see clearly
Difficulty with night driving (halos, glare, starbursts)
Vision that doesn't sharpen with squinting
Why it happens.
Genetic - astigmatism is often inherited
Naturally irregular corneal curvature (most common)
Eye injury or surgery (less common)
Conditions like keratoconus that progressively warp the cornea
Not sure what you're dealing with? A free evaluation gives you a clear answer.
Book a free evaluationHow we treat astigmatism at Visionary Eye.
The right answer depends on your eyes, your prescription, and your life. Here's what we typically recommend - but the only way to know what fits you is a comprehensive evaluation.
All-Laser LASIK
Custom wavefront-guided LASIK reliably corrects most astigmatism.
SMILE LASIK
SMILE corrects astigmatism up to about 3.0D - flapless and minimally invasive.
ASA / Advanced PRK
Surface-based laser correction for thin corneas with astigmatism.
EVO ICL (toric)
A toric ICL that corrects high astigmatism + high myopia in one implant.
Premium Cataract (toric IOL)
Toric intraocular lens corrects astigmatism during cataract surgery.
Common questions.
Can I really get LASIK if I have astigmatism?
Yes - modern LASIK reliably corrects the vast majority of astigmatism. Severe astigmatism may be better treated with a toric ICL or toric IOL; we'll tell you which fits your eyes.Will my astigmatism come back after surgery?
Most patients enjoy stable correction for decades. Progressive astigmatism caused by keratoconus is a different story - we screen carefully for early keratoconus before recommending laser correction.Is astigmatism corrected during cataract surgery?
Yes - toric IOLs are designed to correct astigmatism at the same time as cataract removal. Image-guided alignment ensures the lens sits at exactly the right axis.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team, no pressure, no sales pitch. We answer the question, not the upsell.
See what better vision looks like. At any stage of life.
Reaching for your glasses on the nightstand. Fighting contacts at the gym. Watching the menu blur at dinner. These aren't problems to live with anymore, and the only place to find out what's actually possible for your eyes is in the chair.
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