Astigmatism Surgery in Melbourne: What You Need to Know
Laser eye surgery for astigmatism is an option for patients looking for a long-term solution to impaired vision. Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by a misshapen cornea, which makes it harder to focus on objects both near and far. The NewVision Clinics team specialises in providing a variety of astigmatism treatment options in Melbourne, including laser eye surgery for astigmatism. Below, we outline what you need to know about the treatment process.
What is Astigmatism?
The cornea is ideally perfectly round to ensure light is reflected properly. Of course, not everyone’s corneas are perfectly round but, when misshapen, the cornea can bend light at odd angles, meaning that the light doesn’t fall on the retina of the eye as it should. This is astigmatism, and it can cause objects to be blurry or distorted at all distances.
Symptoms are often more noticeable at night, with halos appearing around light rays. Astigmatism sufferers might experience eyestrain, fatigue and headaches. While the condition can present on its own, it can also accompany myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (long-sightedness).
Astigmatism Treatment Options
Your Astigmatism treatment will depend on the severity of the condition. Many cases can be addressed with glasses as well as soft or hard contact lenses. Those interested in laser eye surgery to treat their astigmatism can be referred to a refractive surgery specialist such as NewVision Clinics.
Laser eye surgery for astigmatism involves our surgeon making an oval-shaped cornea rounder by removing corneal tissue. Adjusting the curvature of the cornea changes the way in which light bends in your eye, getting it to focus on a single point on the retina using the optimised technique of Vector Planning that includes the corneal shape values in the treatment plan. This treatment can also correct myopia or hyperopia at the same time, providing ideal results for many patients.
LASIK vs PRK Treatment
NewVision Clinics offers both LASIK(Laser-Assisted-In-Situ-Keratomileusis) as well as PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) surgery. Our specialists use multiple measurements to calculate the ideal treatment parameters, including spectacle refraction, manual keratometry, topography and wavefront assessments. Both treatments achieve equally effective long-term results, however, good-quality vision is restored faster with LASIK. LASIK surgery is the preferred choice for 80% of patients seeking laser surgery.
Contact Us to Learn More About Astigmatism Treatment in Melbourne
The team at NewVision Clinics can provide more advice on each treatment option and which might best suit your circumstances. We’ll recommend an appropriate pathway based on your age, corneal thickness and overall eye health as well as go over cost, recovery and any other questions you may have. Contact us today.