Astigmatism is a common eye condition that causes blurry vision. It occurs because the shape of your cornea is irregular. The cornea is the sphere-shaped clear covering over the iris and lens. Astigmatism causes the cornea to be oval or shaped like a football instead of a perfect globe.
Can Astigmatism Be Prevented?
While astigmatism can’t be prevented, lifestyle choices contribute to good overall health and longevity. Choose healthy habits to have the best possible eye health. Tips include staying active and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Healthy lifestyle choices do prevent many eye disorders other than astigmatism. Reduce your risk to vision problems and even blindness, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Protect your eyes with sunglasses and visors or wide brims. Wear safety gear likes goggles to prevent sports-related or work-related eye injuries.
What Causes Astigmatism?
Astigmatism usually is hereditary. It may be present from the time you’re born. On the other hand, it can develop after you’ve had eye surgery, an eye disease or an injury to your eye.
Symptoms of Astigmatism
If you have astigmatism, you probably notice that your vision is distorted or isn’t as clear as it was. Children who have astigmatism may not report any symptoms because they believe that’s the way the world looks. You may notice differences in the way you see as they occur. Some of the symptoms commonly associated with astigmatism include:
- Distorted or blurry vision
- Headaches
- Eyestrain
- Squinting
- Poor night vision
Symptoms can increase or decrease over time. While these symptoms may indicate astigmatism, they may also be signs of other eye disorders, such as:
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Dry eyes
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic eye disease
- Retinal detachment
- Keratoconus
- Corneal disease
- Surfer’s eye
Only a trained ophthalmologist can determine the source of your eyesight issues. Visit us for a thorough evaluation of your eyes. Your doctor, in conjunction with other specialists, provide guidance for treating eye disorders, addressing their underlying causes and the associated consequences.
Diagnosing Astigmatism
During your eye exam, your ophthalmologist tests your visual acuity, using a variety of tests and devices to determine if you have astigmatism or another eye disorder. You’re asked to read letters on a chart or a virtual chart. Your specialist places a series of lenses in front of your eyes to determine how they focus light.
The primary instrument used to measure the curvature of your cornea is a keratometer. A corneal topographer provides additional detail regarding the shape of your cornea. The exact curvature is needed for fitting contact lenses.
Treatment Options for Astigmatism
Glasses or contact lenses correct astigmatism by counteracting uneven curvature, adjusting the way light enters your eyes. An orthokeratology is a procedure that fits rigid gas-permeable contact lenses to your affected eye or eyes. You have to wear these lenses at night. They temporarily reshape your cornea, allowing vision correction without the need for glasses.
