Mahesh, a 35-year-old male patient, had been suffering from eye strain for some time now. Because of the constant eye strain, he suffered from recurrent headaches too. He typically complained about seeing a “halo” around any source of light. He finally decided to consult an eye specialist for his problem. He was diagnosed with Astigmatism. He started wearing a new pair of glasses, which his doctor recommended. But after wearing the new glasses he started facing the following problems:
- Has nausea while walking
- The top of the desk looks slanted
- The floor seems to be rising
When he reached the eye specialist, he learned that the symptoms were because of the change in the astigmatism correction in the new prescription. A demo or trial before trying the actual one would have helped a lot.
Curious to know what exactly is this Astigmatism? Read on.
The eyes are an essential organ to our body and senses. A person’s life is quite impossible or challenging without this organ. This sensitive organ needs a lot of care to prevent it from damaging or imperfection—one of these imperfections is Astigmatism, which is common and treatable. In the article below, we will learn everything about astigmatism. It includes what Astigmatism is, its causes, symptoms, types, and treatment.
What is Astigmatism?
An astigmatism is a common and treatable imperfection in the curvature of the eye. It causes blurred distance or near vision. This imperfection generally happens when the front surface of the eye and the lens in the eye have mismatched curves. This formation creates an egg-shaped surface instead of a curved round ball. It is causing blurred vision at all distances.
This is often seen at the time of birth. If not, then it may develop as a combination of near-sightedness and farsightedness. Research says that 1 in 3 people suffers from Astigmatism.
Astigmatism Causes
Astigmatism is usually hereditary, which means it’s a condition biological parents pass down to their children.
Another reason for this is putting a lot of pressure on the cornea. Other causes of Astigmatism are:
- Complications after eye surgery
- Injuries on eyes
- Scar on cornea
- Thinning of cornea
- Change in lens curvature
Astigmatism Symptoms
The most common symptom of Astigmatism is blurred vision. This makes it hard for you to see details of every object. Some more symptoms of include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Eye strain
- Squinting of your eyes while you are seeing something
- Seeing a glare around lights
Also Read : Everything you need to know about Dry Eye Syndrome
Astigmatism Types
There are two main types of Astigmatism, i.e. corneal or lenticular.
- Cornea astigmatism is caused by any kind of distortion or defect in the cornea.
- On the other hand, lentic Astigmatism happens when you have a distortion in the lens.
Astigmatism is also described as regular or irregular.
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Regular astigmatism
If astigmatism is regular, the two curves are at a 90-degree angle to each other, and the curvature of each is uniform.
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Irregular astigmatism
In irregular astigmatism, the two curves are not at 90-degree angles to each other, and the curvature of each is not uniform or even. Irregular astigmatism can often result from trauma, surgery, or keratoconus, which is the thinning of the cornea.
Also Read : The Ultimate Way to Improve Eyesight
Astigmatism Diagnosis
The early detection and treatment of astigmatism are important.
An eye specialist may use the following techniques when examining the eyes:
- Visual acuity test: A visual acuity test checks how well a person can read letters or characters at a distance. It typically involves reading lines of letters on a chart. The letters become progressively smaller on each line.
- Keratometry: A keratometer is a device that measures the reflected light from the surface of the cornea. This provides an eye doctor with information about the shape and curvature of the cornea.
- Corneal topography: Corneal topography is a type of imaging technology that provides measurements of the cornea alongside images. This offers a much more detailed assessment than keratometry.
- Refraction: Refraction assesses how the eyes focus light, and it involves placing a series of lenses in front of the eyes. An eye doctor will ask which lenses make a person’s vision better.
Also Read : Eye Health Tips: Top 9 Tips for Healthy Eyes
Astigmatism Treatment
Most people with astigmatism need corrective lenses. Your eye care specialist will recommend eyeglasses or contact lenses to help you see clearly.
If the astigmatism is very mild (and doesn’t affect your vision), you might not need glasses or contacts. Your eye care specialist will measure any changes in your eye during future eye exams. Astigmatism can change over time and get worse, so you might need glasses or contacts eventually, even if you don’t at first.
Wearing glasses or contacts will correct your vision, but they won’t change the shape of your eye. Vision correction surgery (including LASIK eye surgery and photorefractive keratectomy or PRK eye surgery) uses lasers to fix vision problems. A specially trained ophthalmologist will perform these procedures to change the shape of your cornea so light hits your retina correctly.
People who have cataracts and astigmatism can have both treated at the same time during cataract surgery.
These surgeries will reduce astigmatism and improve your vision. Talk to your eye care specialist if you’re interested in vision correction surgery.
What causes Astigmatism to get worse?
In some cases, there is a high chance that Astigmatism may get worse. There are some factors, including age, eye injuries, and keratoconus. To prevent it, you must visit an eye doctor regularly.
Ageing
Your cornea may change shape with your increasing age. This might result in Astigmatism. However, it is still not known why this happens.
Eye Injuries
Eyes are pretty delicate and can get injured if not careful. The eye injuries include chemical burns, foreign objects in the eyes, and side effects after surgery. These injuries can damage your cornea or lens and increase your chances of getting Astigmatism.
Keratoconus
This is a condition where your cornea area becomes thin and weak—making it bulge outwards in the shape of a cone. This change in shape can distort the light entering your eye. Its cause is unknown; sometimes, it’s linked to genetics, eye allergies, aggressive eye rubbing, and disorders that make the eye connective tissue.
Also Read : Getting Itchy Eyes? Here’s Itchy Eyes Home Remedy
When to see a doctor?
- You must consult an eye specialist if you see the mentioned symptoms.
- If anyone in your family history has astigmatism, take your kid to an eye specialist.
Astigmatism FAQs
How quickly does astigmatism develop?
There is no specific time limit for development of Astigmatism. A person can develop it at any point in their life; some people develop it when they are adults. It can be better or worse over time.
Does Astigmatism cause double vision?
Double vision is the most common symptom of Astigmatism.
What frames are best for Astigmatism?
Flat frames are for you if you choose frames for Astigmatism. The curved frames may bend a light in a way that will distort your vision.
Does Astigmatism get better on its own?
The answer is no; Astigmatism cannot get better on its own.
References:
- What Is Astigmatism? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology[Internet].
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-astigmatism. Accessed Oct. 05, 2024.
- Astigmatism. NIH – National Eye Institute [Internet].
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/astigmatism. Accessed Oct. 01, 2024.
- Astigmatism. American Optometric Association[Internet].
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/astigmatism?sso=y. Accessed Sept. 29, 2024.
- Astigmatism. Health New Zealand[Internet].
https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/eyes/astigmatism. Accessed Sept. 25, 2024.
- Astigmatism. UVA Health, University of Virginia[Internet].
https://uvahealth.com/services/eye-care/astigmatism. Accessed Oct. 05, 2024
- Astigmatism. Canadian Association of Optometrists[Internet].
https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/astigmatism . Accessed Oct. 07, 2024
