What is Astigmatism?
Eye care professionals use a variety of tests to accurately identify astigmatism or other vision conditions. This includes visual acuity testing and a device called a Keratometer.
Astigmatism, a fairly common condition of the eyes, can impair both near-and distance vision. It depends on your eyes' shape and function and how they bend light rays.
Causes
Astigmatism results from an irregular cornea or lens shape. This condition, also known as corneal and lenticular astigmatism, is caused by an irregular shape of the cornea or lens.
Your cornea or your lens should resemble a round ball. This will allow the light to enter evenly at the back of the eye and be focused clearly onto your retina. When astigmatism is present, light can't focus directly on this retina; it forms two foci that overlap, resulting in blurred vision.
Astigmatism, which can be hereditary in nature or present at birth, may also develop due to injury, surgery or eye diseases, such as Keratoconus. Your eye doctor can diagnose astigmatism through a comprehensive exam. They'll use a phoropter, which measures visual acuity, before using a corneal topographer to measure corneal curve.
Symptoms
Eye care professionals can accurately diagnose Astigmatism with a series of tests. They will examine the cornea and lens of your eye to see if they have an irregular shape. This would indicate corneal or lenticular.
Normal corneal structures and lenses should resemble baseballs. Light will enter evenly and focus at one focal point to provide clear vision. When you suffer from astigmatism however, the shape of your eyes could be more like a football or an egg. Light is not focused on one focal point so it appears fuzzy and wavy.
Astigmatism may go unnoticed by children. Therefore, regular eye exams beginning at age six are essential. Astigmatism left uncorrected can negatively impact near- and distant vision. It also puts children at risk of amblyopia, an eye disorder.
Diagnosis
Astigmatism can be difficult to detect, especially among younger children. But if your child is squinting often or rubbing their eyes, or has blurry or double vision, you should visit an eye specialist. They will examine all parts of your child's eye (including their interior), perform a refraction test, and a cross-cylinder test (during which your child looks through 360 degree lines for the sharpest vision).
Contact lenses or eyeglasses are often the most effective way to correct an astigmatism. By bending light beams so they land at one focal spot on the retina, they ensure accurate optical performance. RGP lenses are more durable, and provide better optics when compared to other soft lens options. Depending on the severity, surgery may be considered. Most commonly, LASIK is used to treat astigmatism.
Treatment
Astigmatism treatments include eyeglasses (contact lenses), surgery and eyeglasses – depending on which best suits your lifestyle requirements and needs. Your eye care professional can help you decide.
Normal eye anatomy has two perfectly curvy surfaces: your cornea and lens. They work together in order to focus light rays into the retina. Astigmatism, however, alters these curved surfaces into irregular curves that lead to blurry and distorted images.
Astigmatism is corrected by using contact lenses or eyeglasses to compensate for irregularities that occur in the corneal or lenticular curvatures. Refractive surgeries are another option. The most commonly performed procedure is LASIK that uses lasers to reshape your corneas.
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Eye care professionals use a variety of tests to accurately identify astigmatism or other vision conditions. This includes visual acuity testing and a device called a Keratometer. Astigmatism, a fairly common condition of the eyes, can impair both near-and distance vision. It depends on your eyes' shape and function and how they bend light rays.…