Astigmatism is caused by irregular curvature of the cornea which is oval rather than round (an exaggeration of its shape would be more like a rugby ball than a football). Astigmatism can be corrected these days by laser eye surgery even if it is associated with myopia or presbyopia.
Astigmatism is often associated with other visual deficiencies (myopia, presbyopia or hyperopia). Astigmatic patients have trouble seeing from far away and close up and often confuse similar numbers and letters (9 and 8 or H and N). They are also unable to see horizontal and vertical lines clearly at the same time. People suffering from astigmatism rarely have very poor vision, but their vision is not 100% either from close up or far away. Nevertheless, many astigmatic people do not have symptoms since their astigmatism is light.
The mechanical or bistoury technique which is now old fashioned and has been abandoned in the most modern clinics as it is more risky than the 100% laser technique. We do not perform it nor recommend it.
The operation consists of reducing the thickness of the cornea at its most rounded parts. The cornea should be thick enough to allow for this, which explains why this is one of the measures taken as a parameter in the preoperative examination.
The preferred technique is LASIK FEMTOSECOND. In a very small percentage of case (<5%) the cornea is too thin to do a corneal flap and an older laser technique (PRK) has to be used. It is the same as above except that the superficial layer of the cornea is dissolved. It hurts a little more but long-term results are as good. Using hight performance lasers like in Novacorpus clinics, increases your chance to get a femtosecond LASIK.
The laser is guided by aberrometry (measurement of the different points of the cornea to be corrected and transmission of these points to the laser which corrects them).
To have the operation, patients must be at least 20 years old (possibly 18) and have had stable vision for at least 2 years.
– Save up to 75% compared to UK surgery costs with our guaranteed price.
– Access world-class quality accredited eye clinics and latest medical technology.
– Benefit from top specialist surgeons selected by Novacorpus, the only medical tourism company founded and directed by a medical doctor.
– Speak English with our concierge service and all our doctors (no translators).
– Be fully-insured to cover complications
– Travel with low-cost flights and sleep in affordable hotels
up to £3,600 for both eyes
Per eye:
from £1,230
Per eye:
from £700
(3 nights + airport transfers included)
Afraid of Turkey? Read the 5 myths about Turkey
No, as long as you follow certain rules. We are very strict in selecting our foreign partners as we want to be sure that we can place our complete trust in the doctor with whom we are going to work.
We also insist on the fact that you must follow to the letter all instructions which the doctor will give you on site (above all these will be recommendations linked to common sense, for example, rest after the operation). There are no more risks when being treated abroad than there are in your own country. As in all areas, it is impossible to eliminate risks 100%, however the risk of treatment abroad is no higher than in your own country.
You will indeed make large savings through going abroad to be treated. Find out more. Nevertheless, we also recommend that good quality treatment should be your priority and that you should carefully seek advice before leaving as regards the doctor and clinic.
We will do everything in our power to avoid this, through selecting up-to-date doctors and clinics. These doctors will give you all the necessary recommendations for good post-operative follow-up and will eventually recommend you a colleague near to where you live if necessary for a certain period. It is, however, impossible to eliminate all risks of complication in medicine. It should be noted that complications are not necessarily attributable to the doctor’s responsibility. They can sometimes occur due to a pre-existing condition, bad luck, or negligence by the patient. This is as likely to happen in your own country as it is elsewhere.
For this reason, we offer a guarantee, which will cover risks of medical complications associated with voluntary operations both abroad and for 6 months after your return. This guarantee also covers the costs of returning abroad, including accommodation. Any emergency treatment linked to your initial treatment is also covered, both abroad and for 6 months after your return.
Moreover, we only work with practitioners and clinics who offer a guarantee. The duration of this guarantee varies (1 year to lifelong) and restrictions may be mentioned by the doctor or clinic (for example: exclusion of the consequences of an accident, a systemic illness, lack of hygiene, etc.) This guarantee nevertheless requires another trip abroad. In the event of an emergency, you may have to consult another practitioner closer to home. If you have not taken out insurance and NHS refuses to cover you, you may have to bear at least part of these costs
Of course, indeed we would recommend this. Going for treatment abroad is much more pleasant in good company. The slight increase in cost associated with being accompanied (train or plane fare and hotel) is largely compensated for by the benefits of having someone with you.
In order to determine if you can have the operation, you will need to have (painless) pre-operation examinations carried out. These examinations are carried out in Grenoble, Amsterdam or Istanbul. There is no waiting list, you can simply tell us which date would suit you (our clinics are very flexible). Around 90% of patients can have the operation.
It is important to note that you can go to an eye clinic in the UK to determine if you can be operated but the examinations should also be carried out in the clinic where you will have the operation, as the data collected is used to programme the laser.
Moreover, these clinics currently possess the best performing equipment (operation using the LASIK technique with INTRALASE brand femtosecond laser, which is famous as it is accredited by NASA to operate astronauts) allowing it to operate on patients who have been declared non-operable by Lasik in other clinics (and who have therefore been offered intra-ocular implants, a much more invasive operation, or PRK, which is more painful).
For more answers and to see the risks and contra-indications associated with Lasik please see our full Laser Vision Correction FAQs page
