Struggling With Blurry or Distorted Vision?

Astigmatism is one of the most common causes of blurred vision — yet many people don’t even know they have it. Even more, they don’t realise it can now be safely and permanently corrected with modern laser eye surgery or advanced lens-based procedures.

Whether you’re from Cheltenham, Cardiff, Newport or South Wales, this article will walk you through how today’s world-class treatments can give you sharp, glasses-free vision — even if you’ve been told you weren’t suitable in the past.

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What Is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when the shape of your cornea (or sometimes your eye’s internal lens) is more oval than round — like a rugby ball instead of a football. This uneven curve causes light to focus unevenly on the retina, leading to:

Blurred or distorted vision at all distances
Eye strain or headaches
Squinting, especially while reading
Difficulty seeing clearly at night

It can occur on its own, or alongside other conditions like short-sightedness (myopia) or long-sightedness (hyperopia).

Can Laser Eye Surgery Really Fix Astigmatism?

Yes — and today’s technologies are more precise than ever.

In the past, astigmatism was seen as a complication or limitation. Now, it’s routinely corrected during procedures like:

LASIK

LASIK Is a bladeless laser reshapes the cornea for a perfect curve, correcting vision in minutes. Fast recovery, high accuracy.

SMILE

A minimally invasive alternative to LASIK. SMILE involves no flap, making it ideal for patients with dry eyes or contact lens intolerance — and excellent for correcting astigmatism with precision.

PRK/LASEK

PRK/ LASEK is a surface-based laser options that reshape the cornea without creating a flap. Suitable for those with thinner corneas or more complex prescriptions.

ICL (Implantable Contact Lens)

For patients who aren’t suitable for laser, a customised lens is placed inside the eye to correct astigmatism from within — without removing the natural lens.

Toric Lenses (for Cataract Patients)

If you have astigmatism and are developing cataracts, toric intraocular lenses can correct both during the same procedure, offering freedom from glasses post-surgery.

Corrections

Here’s a quick overview of the most effective treatment options for correcting astigmatism, including how they work, who they’re suitable for, and their key benefits.

Procedure	Description	Suitability	Benefits
LASIK	Bladeless laser reshapes the cornea	Most forms of refractive error	Quick, precise vision correction
SMILE	Uses a small incision, no flap created	Astigmatism, dry eyes	Minimally invasive surgery
PRK/LASEK	Surface laser treatment, no corneal flap	Thinner corneas	Alternative for those unsuitable for LASIK
ICL	Adds a custom lens inside the eye	High astigmatism, complex cases	Reversible, no corneal tissue removal
Toric Lenses	Correct astigmatism during cataract surgery	Astigmatism with cataracts	Reduces need for glasses after surgery

Benefits of Treating Astigmatism with Surgery

Permanent correction — no more switching between glasses and contact lenses
Sharper, more stable vision day and night
Reduced eye strain and fatigue
Freedom to live more actively — especially for sports, driving, and work
Fewer headaches, clearer focus, and a better quality of life

Why Patients in Cheltenham and South Wales Are Great Candidates

Fadi Kherdaji’s clinic serves people from across Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cardiff, Newport, and the South Wales Valleys — many of whom have been living with astigmatism for years, unaware there’s a better option.

Thanks to advanced diagnostics and modern technology, we can now treat most types and degrees of astigmatism — even in patients previously told they weren’t suitable for laser eye surgery.

And because our Cheltenham clinic is centrally located, it’s easily accessible from across the Welsh border, with fast consultations and expert aftercare.