Can LASIK Eye Surgery Correct Astigmatism?

05 Oct 2026

Yes, LASIK can correct astigmatism for many people. Whether it can correct yours depends on the type and amount of astigmatism you have, and on the shape and thickness of your cornea.

Astigmatism is one of the most common reasons people rely on glasses and contact lenses, and it often sits alongside short or long sightedness. If you've been reading up on LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism, you've probably seen wildly different answers about who can have it. Modern laser surgery treats astigmatism routinely, but only after a detailed assessment confirms your eyes are suitable.

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an unevenly curved cornea, or sometimes by the shape of the lens inside the eye. Instead of being evenly rounded like a football, the cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball. Light focuses on more than one point, so vision becomes blurred or distorted. Common signs include:

Blurred vision at near and far distances
Eye strain and headaches after screen work or reading
Glare or halos around lights, especially at night
Squinting to see details clearly

Regular and irregular astigmatism

Regular astigmatism. The corneal shape is uneven but follows a predictable pattern. This is the type LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism is designed to treat.
Irregular astigmatism. The cornea is uneven in an unpredictable way, often because of scarring or a condition such as keratoconus. Standard LASIK usually isn't suitable here, and other treatments are recommended instead.

How does LASIK correct astigmatism?

During LASIK, the surgeon creates a thin flap on the surface of the cornea and uses an excimer laser to reshape the tissue underneath. For astigmatism, the laser removes tissue more in some directions than others, smoothing out the uneven curve so light focuses on a single point.

The treatment corrects short or long sightedness at the same time, so one procedure deals with your whole prescription. Customised wavefront-guided treatment maps the eye in fine detail to guide the laser more precisely for each patient.

How much astigmatism can LASIK correct?

LASIK treats mild and moderate astigmatism reliably, and in many cases higher levels too. There's no single cut-off number, which is the part most people find frustrating. It depends on:

How much astigmatism you have alongside any other prescription
Your corneal thickness, since reshaping removes a small amount of tissue
The overall shape and health of your cornea
Whether your prescription has been stable for at least a year or two

That's why the same prescription can be suitable for one person and not for another. Only a full scan of your eyes answers the question properly.

Who is suitable for LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism?

You may be a good candidate if you:

Are over 18 with a stable prescription
Have regular astigmatism within a treatable range
Have healthy corneas of sufficient thickness
Don't have uncontrolled dry eye or certain eye diseases
Have realistic expectations about the result

What if LASIK isn't right for you?

Being ruled out of LASIK doesn't put astigmatism correction out of reach. Depending on your eyes, your surgeon may discuss:

LASEK. The laser reshapes the corneal surface without creating a flap, which can suit thinner corneas.
SMILE. A flapless keyhole procedure that corrects short sightedness and astigmatism through a small incision.
Toric ICL. An implantable lens designed for higher prescriptions and astigmatism, without removing corneal tissue.
Lens replacement with toric lenses. Often considered from the mid-forties onwards, or where early cataracts are present.
Cross linking and CAIRS. Used where irregular astigmatism is caused by keratoconus.

What is recovery like?

Vision often improves within the first day, though it can fluctuate for a few weeks
Mild grittiness, watering and light sensitivity are common early on
Many patients return to work within a few days, depending on the job
Follow-up appointments check that the cornea is healing and the correction is settling

For a small number of patients with higher astigmatism, a further enhancement treatment may be discussed once the eyes have fully healed.

Why the assessment matters most

Successful LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism starts well before the laser. A consultant-led assessment covers corneal mapping, thickness measurements, tear film checks and a review of prescription stability. That information decides whether LASIK is the safest option, or whether something else would give you a better and more predictable result.

Dr Zine Elhousseini, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Optimal Vision London — Dr Zine Elhousseini, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Optimal Vision.

Ready to take the next step?

A consultation is the only way to know whether LASIK suits your astigmatism. Optimal Vision is consultant-led, and between them our surgeons have carried out more than 35,000 ophthalmic procedures. Every recommendation starts with your own scans, not a standard script.

We see patients at 7 Gower Street, WC1E 6HA and at Harley Street in Marylebone, both CQC-registered. Call 020 7183 3725, email info@optimalvision.co.uk or book a consultation online. Ask about fixed pricing and 0% finance options when you call.

Frequently asked questions

Can LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism fix both eyes at once?

Yes. Most patients have both eyes treated on the same day, and any short or long sightedness is corrected at the same time.

Is LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism permanent?

The corneal reshaping is permanent. Your eyes can still change naturally with age, so reading glasses may be needed later in life.

Can LASIK treat high astigmatism?

It often can, but suitability comes down to corneal thickness and shape. For higher levels, toric ICL or lens-based options may be safer.

Can I have LASIK if I have keratoconus?

Standard LASIK isn't usually suitable for keratoconus. Treatments such as corneal cross linking and CAIRS are designed for this condition instead.

How do I know if I am suitable for LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism?

A detailed consultation with corneal scans and measurements is the only reliable way to confirm suitability and the best treatment for your eyes.