Yes — astigmatism can worsen with age due to corneal shape changes, gravitational effects on the cornea, and changes in the crystalline lens. However, the progression is usually slow and can be treated at any stage.
Key Facts
- Astigmatism is caused by an irregular (non-spherical) corneal or lens shape
- Mild progression of astigmatism can occur throughout adulthood
- Significant worsening suggests conditions like keratoconus — requires specialist evaluation
- Age-related changes in the lens (lenticular astigmatism) add to corneal astigmatism over time
- Stable astigmatism (unchanged for 1–2 years) is ideal for LASIK treatment
Guidelines & Tips
- Annual eye checks track astigmatism stability — important before LASIK eligibility
- If astigmatism is progressively worsening, keratoconus must be ruled out with topography
- LASIK corrects astigmatism up to 6D cylinder in most patients
- Contoura Vision (topography-guided LASIK) is particularly effective for irregular astigmatism
- Keratoconus-related astigmatism is treated with corneal cross-linking, not LASIK
- Stable astigmatism (no change over 12 months) qualifies for LASIK treatment
Centre For Lasik: Ready for clear vision? Book your free LASIK evaluation at Centre For Lasik — 20+ years of expertise, 1,00,000+ successful procedures across India. Book Free Evaluation →