Surgery for astigmatism is one of the most effective ways to treat astigmatism, as it allows for less dependence on glasses or lenses, in addition to the possibility of full correction of the person’s degree. Know the symptoms of astigmatism.
Although there is the possibility of curing astigmatism with this type of surgery, it is necessary to carry out an evaluation with the ophthalmologist before the procedure as it is necessary to have certain conditions before undergoing surgery, such as having a sufficiently thick cornea, having stabilized vision or, generally, , being over 18 years old, for example.
How is the surgery done
Astigmatism can be corrected through surgery, which is normally recommended for people over 18 years of age or who have had the degree stabilized for more or less 1 year. The surgery is performed using local anesthesia and normally lasts around 20 minutes, however the duration may vary according to the type of surgery recommended by the ophthalmologist.
The most commonly used types of surgery for astigmatism include:
- Cirurgia LASIK: In this type of surgery, a cut is made in the cornea and then a laser is applied directly to the eye to change the shape of the cornea, allowing the correct formation of the image and avoiding the sensation of duplicity and lack of clarity. Normally recovery is very good and the degree adjustment is very fast. Understand how LASIK surgery is performed.
- PRK Surgery: In this type of surgery, the corneal epithelium (most superficial part of the cornea) is removed with a blade and a laser is applied to the eye. A contact lens is then applied to avoid post-operative pain. The post-operative period of this surgery takes longer and the patient may feel pain, but it is a safer technique in the long term. Learn more about PRK surgery.
The price of surgery for astigmatism can vary according to the type of surgery and location where the procedure will be carried out, and can vary between R$2000 and R$6000.00 per eye. Surgery, however, can be cheaper if it is included in the health plan.
Risks of surgery
Although they are not very common, surgery for astigmatism presents some risks, such as:
- Failure to completely correct the problem, requiring the person to continue wearing glasses or contact lenses;
- Sensation of dry eye due to reduced lubrication in the eye, which can cause redness and discomfort;
- Infection in the eye, which is more related to lack of care after surgery.
In more serious cases, blindness may occur due to corneal infections, however, this is a very rare complication and can be avoided by using eye drops post-operatively. However, the ophthalmologist cannot guarantee that there is no risk of infection. Learn about the types of eye drops and what they are for.
