Eye health resources

Can your astigmatism be fixed permanently or cured?

Your treatment options for astigmatism depend on a few factors, like how severe your astigmatism is and what caused it. Contact lenses or glasses are not permanent, while laser surgery is a much more permanent option.

See ACUVUE contact lenses for astigmatism

Medically reviewed on April 27, 2026

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Published August 30, 2024; Updated on July 13, 2026

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5 minute read time

Key takeaways

The way your eye doctor treats your astigmatism depends on your lifestyle and the severity of your condition
Common treatments like eyeglasses and contact lenses provide clear vision but are not permanent treatments
Laser eye surgery offers a permanent change to the shape of your cornea but does not guarantee that you’ll never have astigmatism again

Astigmatism can’t be cured permanently, but it can be corrected

Astigmatism is caused by the irregular shape of your cornea or the natural lens in the eye. It is not curable, but it can be corrected. Of the most common treatment options used for correcting astigmatism, laser eye surgery is the most permanent, because it changes the shape of your cornea. But even this treatment may not completely correct your astigmatism, and if it does, you may develop astigmatism again due to eye injuries or age-related eye changes. Ultimately, it’s up to your eye doctor to determine what the best treatment would be for you.

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What is astigmatism, exactly?

Astigmatism is a refractive error (meaning, a problem with focusing the light in your eye) caused by a cornea or lens that isn’t perfectly round. This causes your eye to have two or more focal points rather than one, making it hard for you to see clearly. In everyday life, uncorrected astigmatism means blurry vision at all distances, and can make night driving difficult.

Common astigmatism treatments

Your eye doctor will perform a number of tests to check the severity of your astigmatism and the health of your eyes. From there, they’ll come up with a recommendation based on their findings and your lifestyle.

Contact lenses for astigmatism

Contact lenses work to refocus light in your eye so that you can see more clearly. That said, there are two main types of contact lenses for astigmatism.

Toric soft contact lenses

The name “toric” comes from the shape of the lens, which has two different curves to correct for irregular shape of the cornea and/or lens that a patient has. Toric contact lenses are tailored to a person’s unique astigmatism depending on how severe it is, how the astigmatism is oriented in the eye, and any other vision problems a person may have.

Toric RGP (rigid gas permeable)

This type of lens may work better for people with high levels of astigmatism or for people with irregular astigmatism. That’s because they retain their shape and this can lead to clearer vision. The trade-off is they’re thicker and more rigid, so they take some getting used to, and since they’re custom-made, the up-front costs tend to be higher.

See ACUVUE contacts for astigmatism

Eyeglasses for astigmatism

One of the most common ways for astigmatism to be corrected is with eyeglasses. These glasses have a toric lens design made specifically for people with astigmatism. Glasses are convenient—you just put them on when you need them—but they are not permanent. When you’re not wearing them, you’ll still experience the vision challenges of astigmatism.

Orthokeratology for astigmatism

Orthokeratology is a big word for a treatment that temporarily reshapes the cornea. Think: A mold that adjusts the cornea to a shape that provides clearer vision. Patients who use orthokeratology lenses wear them for limited periods of time—typically overnight—and then remove them to enjoy temporarily clear vision without the need for glasses or contacts. The corrected cornea shape is temporary and will eventually return to its original shape.

Laser and other surgeries

Surgery is a more lasting way to correct astigmatism. It involves reshaping the cornea or replacing the lens, depending on what is affected by astigmatism. One of the most widely recognized versions is laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Laser eye surgery for astigmatism

What’s next?

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor

Curious what your contact lens options are? Get in touch with your eye doctor for a contact lens fitting exam. They’ll perform a comprehensive exam and check whether or not contacts make sense for your eyes and your lifestyle.

Test your eyes for signs of astigmatism

Try our free quick and easy online astigmatism test to see if you might have signs of astigmatism. For an official diagnosis, visit your eye doctor.  

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can astigmatism go away on its own?

No, astigmatism does not resolve or go away on its own. It is a problem with the shape of your eye, like if you had one leg that was shorter than the other. To experience clear vision, you need a treatment like glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Can astigmatism be cured?

There isn’t a pill or medicine that can cure astigmatism, but it can be temporarily corrected with glasses or contact lenses, or more permanently corrected with surgery for some patients.

Can astigmatism get worse over time?

Yes, it is possible for astigmatism to change or worsen over time. Factors like age, eye injuries, certain eye surgeries, or conditions like keratoconus can alter the shape of your cornea. Regular eye exams are essential to monitor any changes.

Can glasses correct astigmatism?

Yes! In fact, 87% of people with vision correction have astigmatism in at least one eye.

Is surgery the only permanent cure for astigmatism?

Currently, refractive surgeries like LASIK are the only ways to permanently alter the shape of the cornea and correct astigmatism long-term. Glasses and standard contacts are highly effective treatments, but they only work while you are wearing them.

Can you have astigmatism in only one eye?

Yes, it’s possible to have astigmatism in just one eye. You can also have different degrees of astigmatism in each eye. This is why a comprehensive eye exam is so important—it ensures you get the right prescription for each of your unique eyes.

Can I wear regular contact lenses if I have astigmatism?

While you might be able to wear regular contact lenses with very mild astigmatism, most people need special "toric" contact lenses designed to correct it. These lenses are shaped to counteract the irregularity of your cornea or lens and are designed to stay in the correct orientation.

What does the world look like with astigmatism?

With uncorrected astigmatism, your vision may be blurry or distorted at all distances. You might notice that straight lines appear tilted, or that lights at night have a glare or "starburst" effect around them.

Can your astigmatism be fixed permanently or cured?

Key takeaways

Astigmatism can’t be cured permanently, but it can be corrected

What is astigmatism, exactly?