What About Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a defect in the curvature of your eye's cornea, or lens. When light enters the eye, it usually focuses on a single spot on the retina at the back of the eye. However, if the curvature of your cornea or lens is not symmetrical and not perfectly smooth, the light coming into your eye will focus in front of the retina, behind the retina, or multiple locations of both. This results in blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
These are standard charts for measuring astigmatism. Close one eye at a time; If some lines appear grayer than others, you may have astigmatism.
Causes and symptoms of astigmatism
Astigmatism is very common, and most people have some form of it. As mentioned earlier, it is caused by irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. Astigmatism is usually present at birth or occurs early in life, which is one of the reasons why it is vital for children to have their eyes examined. Children with astigmatism (or other eye problems) do not know what it means to have good vision and therefore do not realize that they have a problem.
When astigmatism is mild, it does not affect vision or require treatment. In more severe cases, symptoms include blurred or distorted vision that leads to strabismus, eye strain and headache. Astigmatism can occur with nearsightedness or farsightedness, and can be caused by eye injury, surgery, or disease.
Astigmatism diagnosis
If you find that your vision is affecting your ability to participate in daily activities, you may want to see an eye doctor. Dr. Envision will perform a thorough eye examination to diagnose your eye problem. In addition to a vision test, your doctor will use a keratometer to measure the curvature of your eyes to see if you have astigmatism. He will also use a retinoscope to test how well your eyes focus light, and then a comprehensive optometer to fine-tune that estimate. With the results of these tests, your doctor will be able to tell you if and to what extent you have astigmatism.
Astigmatism therapy
To counteract the uneven curvature of the cornea or lens, you may choose glasses, contact lenses, orthokeratology, or refractive surgery.
