Astigmatism

What is astigmatism?

A common eye problem, astigmatism causes blurry or distorted vision. People with this eye problem have an abnormally shaped cornea or lens.

The cornea is the clear, smooth surface of your eye, and the lens is the inner part that transmits light to your retina in the back of your eye. You need a smooth, evenly curved cornea and lens for clear, focused vision.

With astigmatism, your cornea or lens are distorted, affecting the transmission of light to your retina and causing problems with your vision. This is called a refractive vision error. Nearsightedness and farsightedness are also refractive errors.

In most cases, astigmatism is inherited. However, you can develop a change in the shape of the cornea or lens following eye surgery or injury.

What are the symptoms of astigmatism?

Blurry or distorted vision are some of the most common symptoms of astigmatism. The eye condition can also cause headaches, eye strain, eye discomfort, and could make driving at night particularly challenging You could also find yourself squinting to see better.

If you have changes in vision or any other symptoms of astigmatism, it’s time to schedule an eye exam at W. Optical.

What happens during an eye exam?

You can expect a thorough eye exam when you visit W. Optical with concerns about changes in your vision. During the preliminary testing the Technician will review your medical and social history, take pictures of your retina, check your eye pressures and measure the front of your cornea. 

The team will check your visual acuity to find out how clearly you can see without correction and/or with current glasses, will evaluate for any signs of convergence insufficiency and do the refraction. During the refraction, the team will have you look through a series of lenses to determine your vision needs for your eyewear prescription.

What are some of the treatments for astigmatism?

Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common treatments for astigmatism.

The team offers gas permeable and disposable soft contact lenses to patients who prefer contact lenses. However, some patients with severe astigmatism may need rigid contact lenses or eyeglasses to see clearly.

The team may also recommend laser eye surgery to change the shape of your eye and correct your vision.

Call W. Optical or schedule an appointment online today for expert eye care from a highly skilled team.