Astigmatism is an eye condition that occurs when the patient’s cornea is not completely round. It is a refractive error, like myopia and hyperopia, which affects how the eyes bend or refract light. Light bends evenly when the eye is perfectly round, providing a clear view. If the cornea is oval-shaped, the light is improperly bent, causing blurry or wavy vision. Astigmatism usually presents alongside myopia or hyperopia. 

What Causes Astigmatism?

What causes astigmatism is unclear, but most patients have it from birth. The condition may also occur after an eye injury, surgery, or eye disease. In rare cases, astigmatism may be due to keratoconus. 

It is an eye condition where the clear part of the eye (cornea) becomes thinner and develops a cone shape. Patients can benefit from contact lenses that help improve vision. Contrary to some myths, astigmatism is not caused by reading in low lighting.

Symptoms of Astigmatism 

Symptoms of astigmatism may be similar to those of other refractive errors. They include:
 

• Blurry, wavy, or distorted vision

• Headaches

• Eyestrain

• Difficulty with night vision

Symptoms of the eye condition usually develop gradually. If you experience vision changes, contact your eye doctor. An eye checkup will determine if you have astigmatism. 

Diagnosing Astigmatism
 

A comprehensive eye exam will check if you have astigmatism. During the exam, the doctor will examine your eyesight sharpness using an eye chart. The exam will include other vision-measuring tests. They include:
 

• Keratometer that measures the bend in the cornea center

• Phoropter involves looking through several lenses to find the one with the clearest vision

• Autorefractor is a device that shines light into the eye to measure refraction changes

• A corneal topographer obtains detailed information on cornea shape

If the diagnosis determines you have astigmatism, the doctor will give you the right prescription. 

Correcting Astigmatism 

Eye doctors prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct astigmatism. You may not require corrective lenses if you have no vision problems and mild or slight astigmatism. If you have moderate to severe astigmatism, the doctor may recommend eyeglasses, contacts, or eye surgery. 
 

The lenses on eyeglasses are curved, counteracting the cornea or lens shape to reduce blurry vision. The special lenses work well when looking straight ahead but might make walls and floors look tilted. If you experience severe astigmatism, adjusting to the new eyeglass lenses may take time. Special RGP contact lenses can also help correct astigmatism. 

Refractive Surgery for Astigmatism
 

Laser eye surgery can reshape the cornea, enabling it to focus light better. During surgery, the doctor numbs the eye before using a laser to sculpt the cornea. The cost of surgery ranges between $700 and $3,500 for each eye. 

A surgeon may recommend LASIK, PRK, or SMILE, depending on your condition. Limbal relaxing incisions (astigmatic keratotomy) involve making tiny incisions on the cornea to allow light to focus more precisely. Astigmatism may not be preventable, but there various ways to protect your eyes. Regular eye exams are essential for your eye health.

For more information on astigmatism, visit Clarity Vision at our office in Clayton, North Carolina. Please call (919) 550-4801 to schedule your eye exam today.