Femto LASIK
Femto LASIK combines femtosecond laser flap creation with excimer laser corneal reshaping.
Learn moreService options
ReLEx SMILE
ReLEx SMILE corrects vision by removing a laser-created corneal lenticule through a small incision.
Learn moreCLEAR
CLEAR is lenticule-based laser vision correction without a corneal flap.
Learn moreVisian ICL Toric
Visian ICL Toric is a phakic toric lens that corrects refractive error and astigmatism while preserving the natural lens.
Learn more
About the service
Astigmatism correction addresses blurred vision caused by differing optical power across the eye’s meridians. Glasses, lenses or surgery are selected according to the source of astigmatism and eye health.
Who the service is for
Astigmatism
Adults with stable regular astigmatism who need accurate optical correction. Patients with myopic astigmatism considering laser vision correction after corneal assessment. Patients with hyperopic or mixed astigmatism if parameters are suitable for Femto-LASIK or another confirmed method. People who prefer toric contact lenses to spectacles.
Astigmatism correction
Patients with high ametropia and astigmatism who need assessment for a toric phakic IOL.
Astigmatism correction
Patients with cataract and corneal astigmatism who may benefit from a toric IOL.
Amblyopia treatment
Children with astigmatism, for optical correction, amblyopia prevention and follow-up; surgery is considered only for special indications.
Refractive stability
Astigmatism is not always a simple stable refractive error. Irregular astigmatism, rapid cylinder change, corneal asymmetry or suspected keratoconus require separate evaluation and may exclude standard laser vision correction. Cross-linking is intended to stabilize progressive ectasia, not to serve as routine cylinder removal. Refractive surgery should not be marketed as standard treatment for children.
Corneal thickness
Before correction, more than the cylinder and axis must be established. The doctor assesses whether astigmatism is regular or irregular, predominantly corneal or lenticular, and associated with myopia or hyperopia. Surgical planning requires corneal topography or tomography, pachymetry, refractive stability, and assessment of the ocular surface and crystalline lens.
Cataract and lens condition
In cataract, the toric IOL and its axis are calculated separately.
When urgent care is needed
Urgent ophthalmic assessment is required for sudden distortion or loss of vision, pain, marked redness, trauma, flashes or a curtain-like visual defect.
Limitations and safety
Astigmatism is not always a simple stable refractive error.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Symptoms and visual needs
Distance, near, driving, screens, sport and tolerance of glasses and lenses.
Stage 2
Refraction
Sphere, cylinder and axis measurement with best-corrected visual acuity testing.
Stage 3
Corneal assessment
Keratometry, topography or tomography and pachymetry when indicated to exclude irregularity and ectasia.
Stage 4
Source of astigmatism
Cornea, crystalline lens or both; cataract requires biometry and toric IOL calculation.
Stage 5
Methods comparison
Glasses, toric contact lenses, corneal laser surgery, a phakic toric IOL or toric IOL in lens surgery.
Stage 6
Preparation
Individual instructions on lenses, tests and medicines depend on the procedure.
Stage 7
Correction
Technique and anaesthesia are method-specific and cannot automatically be transferred between operations.
Stage 8
Outcome review
Assessment of visual acuity, residual cylinder, cornea or toric IOL position, followed by advice.
Service benefits
A more even image focus
Astigmatism correction helps reduce distortion caused by different refractive powers across meridians.
Accounting for combined errors
Astigmatism is assessed alongside myopia or hyperopia so the plan addresses the full refractive error.
Correction based on precise measurements
Testing determines astigmatism magnitude and axis to select suitable optical or surgical parameters.
Comparing different approaches
Glasses, contact lenses and surgery are discussed as distinct options according to clinical indications.
Methods comparison · 1
Criterion
Glasses;
Toric contact lenses
Femto-LASIK
ReLEx SMILE
Principle
External cylindrical optics.
Toric lens stabilizes on the eye at the required axis.
Excimer laser creates a meridian-specific corneal profile after flap creation.
A femtosecond laser creates a lenticule removed through a small incision.
Invasiveness
None.
No surgery, but daily ocular-surface contact.
Flap-based corneal surgery.
Flapless lenticule corneal surgery.
Astigmatism type
Regular astigmatism; range depends on optics and tolerance.
Regular astigmatism; range depends on available lens parameters.
Myopic, hyperopic or mixed regular astigmatism in suitable eyes.
Primarily myopic astigmatism within platform limits.
Recovery
Optical adaptation.
Adaptation and lens-care training.
Usually rapid, individually variable.
Usually rapid for standard indications.
Key limitation
Dependence on spectacles and distortions at high cylinder.
Dryness, hygiene, lens rotation and tolerance.
Flap, corneal anatomy, dry-eye risk and residual refraction.
Not suitable for every astigmatism type; platform range and anatomy matter.
Glasses;
Principle
Invasiveness
Astigmatism type
Recovery
Key limitation
External cylindrical optics.
None.
Regular astigmatism; range depends on optics and tolerance.
Optical adaptation.
Dependence on spectacles and distortions at high cylinder.
Toric lens stabilizes on the eye at the required axis.
No surgery, but daily ocular-surface contact.
Regular astigmatism; range depends on available lens parameters.
Adaptation and lens-care training.
Dryness, hygiene, lens rotation and tolerance.
Excimer laser creates a meridian-specific corneal profile after flap creation.
Flap-based corneal surgery.
Myopic, hyperopic or mixed regular astigmatism in suitable eyes.
Usually rapid, individually variable.
Flap, corneal anatomy, dry-eye risk and residual refraction.
A femtosecond laser creates a lenticule removed through a small incision.
Flapless lenticule corneal surgery.
Primarily myopic astigmatism within platform limits.
Usually rapid for standard indications.
Not suitable for every astigmatism type; platform range and anatomy matter.
Methods comparison · 2
Criterion
PRK / TransPRK
CLEAR
Toric phakic IOL
Toric IOL with cataract surgery
Role
Flapless surface corneal correction.
Flapless lenticule procedure; indication selected by surgeon.
Intraocular correction with natural lens preserved.
Corneal astigmatism correction during lens replacement.
Corneal flap
None.
None.
Not a corneal laser procedure.
Not a corneal laser procedure.
Accommodation
Natural lens preserved.
Natural lens preserved.
Natural lens preserved.
Natural lens removed; vision depends on IOL design.
Recovery
Slower because surface epithelium must heal.
Usually faster than surface methods, but individual.
Intraocular postoperative protocol.
Lens-surgery postoperative protocol.
Key question
Corneal regularity, ablation depth and haze risk.
Confirm indication for astigmatism type and platform.
Anterior chamber, endothelium, model and IOL cost.
Accurate axis, biometry, corneal astigmatism and retinal status.
PRK / TransPRK
Role
Corneal flap
Accommodation
Recovery
Key question
Flapless surface corneal correction.
None.
Natural lens preserved.
Slower because surface epithelium must heal.
Corneal regularity, ablation depth and haze risk.
Flapless lenticule procedure; indication selected by surgeon.
None.
Natural lens preserved.
Usually faster than surface methods, but individual.
Confirm indication for astigmatism type and platform.
Intraocular correction with natural lens preserved.
Not a corneal laser procedure.
Natural lens preserved.
Intraocular postoperative protocol.
Anterior chamber, endothelium, model and IOL cost.
Corneal astigmatism correction during lens replacement.
Not a corneal laser procedure.
Natural lens removed; vision depends on IOL design.
Lens-surgery postoperative protocol.
Accurate axis, biometry, corneal astigmatism and retinal status.
Book an appointment
Book diagnostics and a consultation at KazRIED to identify the type of astigmatism and compare correction options. The physician will measure cylinder and axis, assess the cornea and lens, and explain whether spectacles/toric lenses are sufficient or whether a surgical option may be considered.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
Adult ophthalmologist consultation, (per consultation)
from 12 000 ₸
Optical correction of ametropia, (per service)
from 2 900 ₸
Complex spectacle fitting, (per service)
from 19 500 ₸
Pentacam, (per eye)
from 4 400 ₸
Calculation of multifocal and toric IOLs on Verion, (per eye)
from 6 600 ₸
Femto-LASIK, (per eye)
from 199 000 ₸
ReLEx SMILE, (per eye)
from 313 000 ₸
TransPRK (per eye)
from 201 000 ₸
CLEAR (per eye)
from 250 000 ₸
Visian ICL Toric, (excluding the IOL cost) (per eye)
from 486 000 ₸
Phacoemulsification with TORIC Alcon IOL, (per eye)
from 397 000 ₸
Examples of toric IOLs
Cost determined after consultation
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 25 years
Head
Aubakirova Alua Sauytbekovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 28 years
Ophthalmologist
Kim Olga Robertovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 32 years
Sabyrbaev Nurlan Berdauletovich
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 26 years
Ophthalmologist
Tuletova Aygerim Serikbaevna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 45 years
Ophthalmologist
Zhumataeva Svetlana Zeykenovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 13 years
Ophthalmologist
Kalshabekov Alibi Sembaevich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 12 years
Ophthalmologist
Kasymbekova Meruert Turlybekovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 45 years
Ophthalmologist
Muraveva Lyubov Anatolevna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 19 years
Pediatric and Adult Ophthalmologist
Razdykova Dina Atabekovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 12 years
Ophthalmologist
Tadzhimetov Murat Mikhaylovich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Astigmatism and correction options
Astigmatism occurs when the eye’s optical power differs between meridians. It is most often related to the shape of the cornea and less commonly to the crystalline lens.
As a result, light does not form a single precise focus on the retina, and images may appear blurred, elongated, or distorted at different distances. Correction is selected according to the cause and type of astigmatism.
Which correction methods are available?
- Glasses and toric contact lenses compensate for the optical error without altering the eye’s tissues.
- Corneal refractive surgery changes the corneal profile.
- A phakic toric intraocular lens (IOL) provides cylindrical correction inside the eye while preserving the natural crystalline lens.
- A toric IOL in cataract surgery can replace the cloudy lens and reduce corneal astigmatism at the same time.
Astigmatism correction therefore involves selecting the most suitable method after precise measurements.
How is the method selected at KazRIED?
At KazRIED, the correction plan is determined after a diagnostic assessment. Options may include glasses or toric contact lenses, corneal laser correction, a phakic toric IOL, or a toric IOL during lens surgery.
The choice depends on the type and regularity of astigmatism, associated myopia or hyperopia, and the condition of the cornea and crystalline lens.
What should be considered when correcting astigmatism?
Astigmatism often coexists with myopia or hyperopia, so the prescription includes sphere, cylinder, and axis.
What matters to the patient is the quality of vision with the maximum tolerated correction and the consistency of measurements.
Assessment before laser correction
Corneal topography is particularly important before laser surgery.
If the map shows irregularity or signs of ectasia, standard refractive laser correction may be unsafe, even if the cylinder value is technically within the usual range.
Astigmatism correction during cataract surgery
In cataract surgery, astigmatism can be taken into account when calculating the artificial lens power.
A toric IOL requires precise measurement of corneal astigmatism and correct alignment with the intended axis. The cost and expected outcome are therefore discussed after biometry and lens calculations.
Expected outcomes and limitations
The goal of surgical correction is to reduce dependence on glasses and improve visual quality. However, residual cylinder, glare, dry eyes, or the need for glasses for certain tasks cannot be completely ruled out in advance.
Related information: Pachymetry.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a refractive error in which the optical power of the eye differs between meridians. As a result, light does not form a single precise focus on the retina and vision may be blurred or distorted.
What types of astigmatism are there?
Astigmatism may be myopic, hyperopic or mixed. It is also important to distinguish regular from irregular astigmatism because their correction and treatment approaches differ.
Can spectacles correct astigmatism?
Yes. Regular astigmatism is commonly corrected with spherocylindrical lenses specified by cylinder power and axis.
Which contact lenses are used for astigmatism?
Toric contact lenses are commonly used for regular astigmatism. They must maintain the intended orientation on the eye for consistent correction.
Can astigmatism be corrected with laser surgery?
Yes. Many adults with stable refraction and suitable corneal parameters may have regular astigmatism corrected with laser refractive surgery. Eligibility is determined after assessment.
Is Femto LASIK suitable for astigmatism?
Femto LASIK may be used to correct regular astigmatism, including astigmatism associated with myopia or hyperopia, when corneal parameters are suitable.
Is ReLEx SMILE suitable for astigmatism?
ReLEx SMILE is primarily used for myopia with or without astigmatism. The treatable cylinder range depends on the laser platform and diagnostic findings.
Can CLEAR correct astigmatism?
CLEAR may be used for myopia with astigmatism in suitable patients. Eligibility for a particular cylinder depends on ocular parameters, platform capabilities and diagnostic findings.
How is PRK different from Femto LASIK?
PRK does not create a corneal flap, and the epithelium regrows after laser treatment. Femto LASIK creates a flap and performs excimer correction beneath it, resulting in a different early recovery profile.
What is TransPRK?
TransPRK is a surface laser vision correction technique in which epithelial removal and refractive ablation are performed with an excimer laser without creating a corneal flap.