Can myopia surgery correct astigmatism?

Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Myopia surgery can also remove astigmatism. Both myopia and astigmatism are common ophthalmological diseases, and they are different types of refractive errors that can occur simultaneously. Currently, there are various surgical methods to correct myopia, such as excimer laser surgery, full femtosecond laser surgery, half femtosecond laser surgery, and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation for phakic eyes. Whatever the type of surgery mentioned, it can correct and treat myopia while simultaneously removing the patient's astigmatism. Prior to surgery, a detailed optometric examination and ocular examination are required. Based on the patient's eye condition and specific degrees of myopia and astigmatism, a corresponding surgical plan is designed.

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Written by Li Zhuo
Ophthalmology
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can children with astigmatism undergo laser surgery?

Firstly, laser surgery is generally performed after the age of 18, as people's eyes continue to grow. This means that just like when a person stops growing taller, the eyes also stop growing at a certain age. If laser surgery is performed too early, while the eyes are still growing, the results may regress over time. Therefore, astigmatism in children should only be addressed after they reach adulthood, usually after the age of 18, but we generally recommend waiting until after the age of 21. Additionally, if the progression of the eye prescription is less than 50 to 100 degrees per year, the surgery outcomes are more likely to be stable. Generally, laser surgery is primarily used for myopia, which pertains to issues with seeing distant scenes, whereas astigmatism, which generally affects horizontal vision, is usually not corrected through laser surgery.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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How can children with minor astigmatism recover?

Mild astigmatism in children refers to astigmatism below 150 degrees, which can impact vision. Currently, once the degree of astigmatism is established, there are no effective non-surgical treatments available to reduce it. Since children cannot immediately undergo surgery to correct astigmatism, the alternative is to wear frame glasses or rigid corneal contact lenses to correct their vision and enhance their eyesight. In subsequent life, it's important to develop good eye habits, avoid squinting when looking at things, not use the eyes at close range for extended periods, and try to prevent the degree of astigmatism from increasing. After reaching adulthood, astigmatism can be corrected through laser surgery.

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Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
1min 34sec home-news-image

Can astigmatism and strabismus be corrected?

Astigmatism and strabismus can sometimes be corrected, depending on their severity. Astigmatism refers to the condition where parallel light rays entering the eye cannot focus on a single point on the retina after being refracted by the eye's optical system, instead forming two focal lines, ultimately failing to produce a clear image on the retina. Astigmatism can be categorized into regular and irregular types. Regular astigmatism can be corrected with cylindrical lenses in eyeglasses; while irregular astigmatism generally requires correction with contact lenses. Additionally, after reaching 18 years of age, astigmatism can also be corrected through refractive surgery. Generally, mild astigmatism does not impact vision and does not require special treatment; however, moderate to severe astigmatism, if uncorrected, might lead to amblyopia and other vision impairments. Strabismus means that when one eye is focusing, the visual axis of the other eye deviates from being parallel, presenting an abnormal eye position. It is generally recommended to start treatment immediately after diagnosing strabismus. If there is significant refractive error, glasses should be prescribed first. If glasses cannot correct the condition, surgery might be necessary.

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Written by Wang Fang
Ophthalmology
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Will astigmatism cause the pupils to enlarge?

Astigmatism of the eye is a type of refractive error caused by an uneven curvature of the cornea's surface, resulting in different refractive powers along different axes. Once astigmatism occurs, particularly with a high degree of astigmatism, there can be a noticeable decrease in vision, distortion in sight, or in severe cases, significant eye fatigue. However, it generally does not lead to pupil dilation. Pupil dilation is caused by the paralysis of the ciliary muscle due to internal and external factors, resulting in enlarged pupils. Therefore, if symptoms of astigmatism appear, it is advisable to visit a hospital promptly for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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Written by Lian Wen Xi
Pediatrics
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Astigmatism in children is caused by what?

The majority of astigmatism in children is caused by congenital factors, that is, genetic factors. If one or both parents of the child have astigmatism, the probability of the child having astigmatism is higher than that of other children. There are also a few cases where a child's astigmatism is caused by acquired factors, such as surgery, trauma, or illness, all of which may cause changes in the curvature of the cornea and lens. Additionally, a lack of outdoor activities and poor eye habits might also promote the development of astigmatism. It is recommended that once a child is diagnosed with astigmatism, they should go to a reputable hospital for examination and then get appropriate treatment to improve the condition, otherwise, it could impact their vision.