Astigmatism: Tips for Coping With Uneven Eyesight

Astigmatism is an eye condition caused by an uneven cornea. In a healthy eye, the front part of the eyeball (cornea) is round. It allows even reflection of light to enter the eye, giving a clear view. If the cornea is irregular or oval-shaped, light entering the eye is bent incorrectly. It leaves only part of the object in focus. Distant objects appear blurry or wavy. 

Developing Astigmatism

Astigmatism usually develops along myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). The three vision conditions are known as refractive errors as they involve how the eyes refract or bend light.

An imperfection in the cornea curvature causes blurry near and distance vision. In many cases, it is not pronounced enough to need correction. When necessary, the condition is easily treatable. Doctors usually recommend eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery to correct it. 

Symptoms of Astigmatism

Symptoms of the refractive error include:
 

• Distorted or blurry vision

• Eyestrain

• Squinting

• Constant headaches

• Problems with night vision
   

Symptoms of astigmatism develop gradually. If you notice vision changes, you must visit an eye doctor for a detailed eye exam. 

What Causes Astigmatism?

What causes astigmatism is unclear, but most people are born with it. You can develop astigmatism after an eye injury, surgery, or eye disease. In a few cases, keratoconus can cause astigmatism. It occurs as the cornea becomes thinner and increasingly cone-shaped. 

When the cornea is egg-shaped, light rays are bent unequally on the mismatched curves, creating two different images. The images combine or overlap, causing blurry vision. Contact lenses can help provide clear vision. 

Diagnosing Astigmatism

To diagnose the condition, the eye doctor will conduct several tests. Reading an eye chart will determine the sharpness of your vision. Other tools that measure vision include a phoropter, which requires you to look through a series of lenses, and a keratometer, which measures your cornea. The machine finds the flattest and steepest curves, revealing the shape of the cornea. 

An autorefractor measures light changes, giving an idea of the lenses needed. The corneal topographer provides detailed information about the cornea shape. It collects accurate cornea measurements. 

Treating Astigmatism
 

If you have slight astigmatism with no other vision issues, you may not require vision correction. Eye doctors prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery to correct astigmatism. Eyeglass lenses help counteract the cornea shape or a lens causing blurry vision. 

Special contact lenses help correct astigmatism. Toric lenses remain in place when you blink. Rigid, gas-permeable lenses help correct severe astigmatism. LASIK or PRK surgery helps reshape the cornea, allowing it to focus rays better. 

Treating astigmatism improves eye comfort and vision clarity. If you opt for refractive surgery, discuss the benefits and possible complications with the doctor. Complications include under- or overcorrection, dry eye, infection, cornea scarring, and visual side effects, including halos around lights. In some rare cases, a patient may experience vision loss. 

For more on astigmatism, visit Lakeview Optometry at our office in Monticello, Indiana. Call (574) 622-8400 to book an appointment today.