Astigmatism Correction: What It Is and What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Astigmatism Correction?
An ophthalmologist, an eye doctor who can also do eye surgery, provides astigmatism correction. Your eye doctor prescribes eyeglasses or contact lenses and can talk with you about surgery. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Astigmatism is a common eye problem that can make your vision blurry or distorted. It happens when your cornea or lens has a different shape than normal. The cornea is the clear front layer of your eye. The lens is an inner part of your eye that helps the eye focus. The most common treatments are eyeglasses or contact lenses. Glasses or contact lenses correct astigmatism, but they do not cure it.
Surgery changes the shape of the cornea so that it can focus light correctly. Other types exist, such as PRK, but the details here are about LASIK. The most common type of refractive surgery, which fixes blurry vision, is called LASIK.
Why a doctor might recommend it
Astigmatism can cause headaches, blurry vision, eye strain, and trouble seeing at night. In children, uncorrected astigmatism in only one eye may cause a vision problem called amblyopia. After LASIK, most people see well enough to stop wearing glasses or contacts for most daily activities.
How to prepare
- Get an eye exam. It is the only way to find out if you have astigmatism.
- For LASIK, you need a full eye exam with eye drops to find out if it is right for you.
- Your vision needs to be stable, meaning your glasses or contacts prescription stays the same over time.
- Some eye conditions raise the risk of problems from LASIK. One is keratoconus, a disease that makes the cornea thinner over time. Others are eye infections, dry eye, glaucoma, cataract, and large pupils.
- Plan for someone to give you a ride home after surgery.
What happens during it
For glasses or contacts, your eye doctor prescribes the right lenses to help you see as clearly as possible.
During LASIK, your doctor puts drops in your eye to make it numb. You may also get a medicine to help you relax. Your doctor cuts a small flap in your cornea and folds it back. A laser is programmed to change your cornea into the correct shape. Then the doctor puts the flap back in place.
Recovery
Right after LASIK, your eye might be irritated and your vision will be blurry. You may need to wear a patch over your eye for several nights to protect it while you sleep. It takes 2 to 3 months for your eye to finish healing, and your vision gets clearer as it heals. You will need follow-up visits to check how your eye is healing and how much your vision has improved.
Astigmatism may change with time, so you may need new glasses or contact lenses.
Risks and side effects
LASIK can cause side effects, just like any surgery. Common side effects are dry eye, glare or halos around bright lights, double vision, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. These side effects usually go away after a few months, but rarely they can be permanent. Other risks include infection, problems with corneal healing, and vision loss (seeing less clearly than before surgery).
Contact your health care provider or ophthalmologist if vision problems worsen or do not improve with glasses or contact lenses. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have sudden dizziness, weakness, or a sudden change in vision.
Who performs it
Eye doctors check for astigmatism during a dilated eye exam, and they prescribe the lenses you need.
Common questions
Does astigmatism always need treatment?
No, if your astigmatism is mild, you may not need treatment. Your eye doctor can help you decide if you need treatment and which type is best for you.
Can glasses or contact lenses cure astigmatism?
No, glasses or contact lenses correct astigmatism but do not cure it. Laser vision correction can most often eliminate or greatly reduce astigmatism.
Can LASIK correct astigmatism?
Yes, LASIK works best for adults with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. The only way to find out if you have astigmatism is to get an eye exam. MedlinePlus says to contact your health care provider or an ophthalmologist if vision problems get worse or do not improve with lenses.
Sources
- National Eye Institute - Astigmatism
- MedlinePlus - Astigmatism
- National Eye Institute - Surgery for Refractive Errors
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
