Astigmatism – Does astigmatism get worse after cataract surgery?

Astigmatism is caused when the surface of the eye or the lens behind it is misshapen and not completely spherical, distorting the light that enters the eye and stopping it from focusing correctly on the retina. This, in turn, can make images look blurry. 

Astigmatism is a common condition that can affect one, or both, of the eyes. It can appear in people of any age. Most people with astigmatism are either long or short sighted.  

There are two types of astigmatism: regular and irregular. Regular astigmatism is the most common type and occurs when someone’s cornea is curved more in one direction than the other. This type of astigmatism can be easily corrected with contact lenses or glasses. 

If you have irregular astigmatism, it’s more likely to be the result of damage caused to the cornea by some form of eye injury. This type of astigmatism occurs where the curve of the cornea isn’t even. It can’t always be corrected using glasses, but can sometimes be corrected with contact lenses. 

Your vision is highly unlikely to get worse after cataract surgery. As you heal from your cataract surgery, you may experience scarring and fibrosis that could cause your artificial lens to move enough to induce a small amount of astigmatism.

Did you find what you were looking for?

Thank you for feedback