Yes, you can still have astigmatism after LASIK. LASIK is a refractive surgical procedure that can correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While LASIK can improve vision for many people, it cannot guarantee perfect vision. In some cases, even after a successful LASIK procedure, a person may still have some degree of astigmatism.
In general, astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. During the LASIK procedure, the surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea. This should reduce the degree of astigmatism, but in some cases, it may not correct it entirely. Astigmatism can also be caused by an irregularly shaped lens, and LASIK does not correct this type of astigmatism.
In addition, some people may develop corneal scarring after LASIK surgery, which can also lead to astigmatism. This is why it is important to follow the pre- and post-operative instructions from your surgeon, and to attend all follow-up appointments.
If you still have astigmatism after LASIK, your doctor may recommend additional treatments such as PRK or topography-guided PRK. These treatments can help correct any residual astigmatism and improve your vision.