Astigmatism is a common type of refractive error of the eye, which causes blurred or blurry vision. Other refractive errors include farsightedness (hyperopia) and nearsightedness (myopia).
How Astigmatism Affects Sight
Normal Sight: Light enters the eye through the normal spherical curve of the cornea; this light is then bent (refracted), thus better focusing it on the retina.
Astigmatism: With this type of refractive error, the cornea is abnormally curved in one direction more than the other. Because of this, light is not able to properly focus on the retina, causing images to appear blurry.
Astigmatism Symptoms
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Eyestrain
- Blurred vision / Difficulty seeing fine details
If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor at your earliest convenience. Astigmatism can be easily identified with a comprehensive eye exam with refraction testing.
If you are diagnosed with astigmatism, do not worry. For starters, everyone experiences astigmatism to some varying degree. The higher the level of astigmatism the more likely treatment will be beneficial to help improve vision.
Astigmatism Treatment
Typically, astigmatism is treated with corrective glasses or contact lenses. However, surgery may be an option for those individuals who do not wish to wear glasses or contact lenses. Surgical options include, LASIK, Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK), or a toric intraocular lens, which is often successfully combined with cataract surgery.
To determine your best course of action, discuss your specific situation with your eye doctor. He/she will be able to better explain the risks and benefits of surgery as compared to wearing glasses or contact lenses.
To learn more about Astigmatism and Eye Health please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!
Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.
Glaucoma and Cataracts may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
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Sources:
Astigmatism PubMed Health