Is LASIK Safe for Astigmatism? Suitability, Safety and Cost Explained

11 Nov 2026

Yes. For most people whose eyes are suitable, LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism is a safe and effective way to correct it, and it's one of the most common reasons people come to us for astigmatism surgery in London. The laser reshapes the cornea so it focuses light evenly, which is exactly what astigmatism needs.

Whether it's right for you depends on how much astigmatism you have, how thick your corneas are and how stable your prescription is. Here's how we decide, and what it costs.

What is astigmatism, and why does LASIK help?

Astigmatism means your cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, curves more steeply in one direction than the other. Light focuses at more than one point, so things look blurred or stretched at any distance.

Glasses and toric contact lenses work around the problem. LASIK corrects the shape itself. A femtosecond laser creates a thin flap in the cornea, an excimer laser reshapes the tissue underneath, and the flap is laid back down. Because astigmatism is a shape problem, reshaping the cornea treats the cause rather than the symptom.

At Optimal Vision, treatment for astigmatism takes around 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes.

Is LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism safe?

For suitable patients, yes. LASIK is a well-established procedure, and the safety of your treatment depends mostly on two things: whether your eyes were right for it in the first place, and the precision of the equipment.

That's why we don't skip the checks. Before anyone is offered treatment, we measure corneal thickness, map the corneal surface, check your refraction and eye pressure, and dilate your pupils. If your corneas are too thin or irregular for LASIK, we'll tell you, and recommend something safer.

On the day, we use a Ziemer FEMTO LDV Z8 laser to create the flap and a Schwind Amaris 1050RS excimer laser, with eye tracking that follows your eye's small movements during treatment. For astigmatism, wavefront and topography-guided treatment can map the specific irregularities in your eye and build them into the laser plan.

What are the risks?

Every operation carries some risk, and you should hear about them before you decide. After LASIK, the side effects people may notice include dry eyes, glare or halos around lights, difficulty with night driving and some fluctuation in vision while the eye settles. These are usually temporary. Your surgeon will go through your own risk at consultation, based on your scans.

Schwind Amaris excimer laser used for astigmatism surgery in London — The Schwind Amaris excimer laser used at Optimal Vision.

Dr Amir Mani: the laser isn't the risk, treating the wrong patient is.

Who is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism?

You're more likely to be suitable if:

Your prescription has been stable for at least a year or two
Your corneas are thick enough for a flap
Your eyes are otherwise healthy
You're not pregnant or breastfeeding

Higher levels of astigmatism can often still be treated with laser. If they can't, there are other options.

When LASEK is the better choice

LASEK treats the surface of the cornea without making a flap. It's often recommended if your corneas are on the thin side, or if you play a contact sport. The results are similar to LASIK, though recovery takes a few days longer.

When toric ICL or lens replacement makes more sense

If your prescription is very high, or your corneas are too thin for laser, an implantable contact lens (ICL) may suit you better. We use EVO Visian ICL lenses, which sit inside the eye in front of your natural lens, and toric versions correct astigmatism. If you're over 40, lens replacement with a toric lens can correct astigmatism and reading vision at the same time.

A question I hear a lot

"People often tell me they were told years ago that astigmatism meant they couldn't have laser eye surgery. Sometimes that was true for the technology at the time, but it often isn't now. The only way to know is to measure your eyes properly. Some of those patients turn out to be ideal for LASIK, others are better suited to LASEK or ICL, and I'd rather give someone the right answer than the one they came in hoping for."
Dr Amir Mani

Treatment at Optimal Vision is led by consultant ophthalmic surgeons, including Dr Amir Mani (MD, MRCSEd, FRCOphth, Cert LRS), who has performed more than 35,000 ophthalmic procedures.

How much does laser eye surgery for astigmatism cost in London?

At Optimal Vision, LASIK and LASEK start from £1,250 per eye, based on treating both eyes. That's a starting price, and the final cost can vary from patient to patient depending on your prescription and the treatment your eyes need.

The starting price covers prescriptions up to -3.00 spherical equivalent. Your spherical equivalent includes half of your astigmatism, so a higher combined prescription may cost more. If wavefront-guided treatment would help, our Laser WaveFront Technology option starts from £1,400 per eye.

The price includes your consultation and scans, follow-up appointments, 12 months of aftercare medication and eye drops, and a free enhancement within the first year if you need one. ICL costs more than laser treatment, and toric ICL lenses carry an extra fee.

You'll get a written price after your scans. Our laser eye surgery costs page has the full list.

Our London clinic

Our London clinic is at 7 Gower Street, WC1E 6HA, at the Bedford Square end of the street in Bloomsbury. Goodge Street station (Northern line) is about five minutes' walk away, and Tottenham Court Road, on the Elizabeth line, is a short walk south. We're open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. We also see patients at our Birmingham clinic on Hagley Road, at the same prices.

Find out if LASIK can fix your astigmatism

The quickest way to know whether LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism suits you is a consultation with full scans. Your LASIK consultation and scans are free.

Call 020 7183 3725 or book your consultation online. You can also read more about LASIK eye surgery and ICL surgery.

Frequently asked questions

Is LASIK safe and effective for correcting astigmatism?

For suitable patients, yes. LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct the uneven curve that causes astigmatism. Your scans will show whether your corneas are right for it.

How much does laser eye surgery for astigmatism cost in London?

At Optimal Vision, LASIK and LASEK start from £1,250 per eye. It's a starting price, so your final cost depends on your prescription and treatment, and we'll confirm it in writing after your scans.

Is toric ICL a better option than LASIK for severe astigmatism?

It can be. If your prescription is very high or your corneas are too thin for laser, a toric ICL may give a better result. Your surgeon will compare both with you at your consultation.

Can astigmatism come back after LASIK?

The correction is permanent, but your eyes can still change with age. If they do, treatment can often be adjusted years later.

Does LASIK for astigmatism hurt?

Numbing drops mean the treatment itself isn't painful. Most people feel slight discomfort for 24 to 48 hours afterwards.

Is LASIK Safe for Astigmatism? Suitability, Safety and Cost Explained

What is astigmatism, and why does LASIK help?

Is LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism safe?

What are the risks?

Who is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery for astigmatism?

When LASEK is the better choice

When toric ICL or lens replacement makes more sense

A question I hear a lot

How much does laser eye surgery for astigmatism cost in London?

Our London clinic

Find out if LASIK can fix your astigmatism

Frequently asked questions

Is LASIK safe and effective for correcting astigmatism?

How much does laser eye surgery for astigmatism cost in London?

Is toric ICL a better option than LASIK for severe astigmatism?

Can astigmatism come back after LASIK?

Does LASIK for astigmatism hurt?

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