Astigmatism is a common eye condition caused by a refractive error of the eye, much like myopia and hyperopia. This eye condition results from your cornea (surface of your eye) or the lens inside the eye being irregularly shaped.
When our lens or cornea is a normal shape, it presents as round. Patients with astigmatism will have more of a stretched out football shape, caused by small differences in growth and alignment of the eye. This causes everything you see to be distorted or blurred, regardless of distance and lighting.
Astigmatism tends to be from birth. If it is detected and treated early on in childhood, the progression of this vision problem is more likely to be prevented.
Astigmatism Symptoms
The following are common symptoms associated with astigmatism:
- Headaches
- Distorted vision
- Blurry vision
- Eye strain
- Eye fatigue
- Difficulty with night time driving
Astigmatism Treatment
Astigmatism is another eye condition that is easily treated via eyeglasses and contact lenses.
To correct the astigmatism, eyeglasses and contact lenses counteract the uneven irregular shape of your eyes cornea and lens.
For the right candidates, refractive (laser) surgery is an option for correcting their astigmatism.
If you are looking for a non-invasive form of correction for your astigmatism, there is also a form of treatment called orthokeratology. Rigid lenses that allow your eyes to breathe are worn overnight as you sleep. They are then taken out in the morning and allow the eye to hold a more round shape throughout the day, allowing for clear vision.
