In short,
- Astigmatism causes blurred vision due to an irregular cornea or lens.
- Glasses and contacts are common ways to correct astigmatism.
- Surgical options like LASIK can permanently correct astigmatism.
Astigmatism is one of the most common vision problems, affecting both children and adults. It occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, preventing light from focusing evenly on the retina. This irregularity leads to blurred or distorted vision at all distances.
At The Laser Center of Coral Gables, we provide comprehensive astigmatism treatment in Coral Gables, FL, using glasses, contacts, and advanced surgical techniques to help patients achieve clear, comfortable vision.
Understanding Astigmatism
What is Astigmatism?
According to the Mayo Clinic, astigmatism is a refractive error where the eye doesn’t focus light evenly on the retina, resulting in blurry or distorted vision at all distances due to an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens.
Unlike nearsightedness or farsightedness, astigmatism is caused by this irregular curvature and often occurs with them. The severity can range from mild to severe. Clinically, this uneven focus stems from the fact that the eye has different focal points along different meridians.
A perfectly spherical cornea focuses light to a single point; an astigmatic cornea focuses light to multiple points, causing a blurred image.
Types of Astigmatism
- Corneal Astigmatism: Caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.
- Lenticular Astigmatism: Caused by an irregularly shaped lens inside the eye. Less common than corneal astigmatism.
- Regular Astigmatism: The principal meridians are perpendicular, making it easier to correct with glasses or contacts. In regular astigmatism, the steepest and flattest curvatures of the cornea are 90 degrees apart.
- Irregular Astigmatism: The principal meridians are not perpendicular, often caused by corneal scarring or keratoconus, making correction more challenging and requiring specialized lenses like RGP contacts or scleral lenses.
Irregular astigmatism can be more difficult to manage because standard corrective lenses may not adequately address the complex distortions.
Causes and Risk Factors of Astigmatism
Genetic Predisposition
Astigmatism often runs in families, suggesting a genetic component. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection. If one or both parents have astigmatism, their children have a higher likelihood of developing it.
Corneal Conditions
Conditions like keratoconus or corneal scarring from injury or infection can cause irregular astigmatism. Keratoconus, a progressive thinning of the cornea, leads to a cone-like bulge that significantly distorts vision.
Other Factors
Eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, can sometimes induce astigmatism. In rare cases, certain systemic diseases may be associated with astigmatism. For example, some connective tissue disorders can affect the shape of the cornea.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Astigmatism
Some common symptoms include:
Common Vision Problems
Blurred or distorted vision at all distances is the most common symptom. Difficulty seeing clearly at night and squinting are also common. Patients often describe seeing halos around lights, particularly at night.
Associated Discomfort
Eye strain and fatigue, especially after prolonged visual tasks, can occur. Headaches and sensitivity to light (photophobia) are also possible. The eye strain results from the eye muscles working harder to try and compensate for the blurry vision.
Diagnosis and Testing for Astigmatism
Comprehensive Eye Exam
The eye exam includes a visual acuity test. This measures how well you see at various distances using a Snellen chart.
Refraction
Refraction uses a phoropter to determine the lens power needed to correct your vision. During refraction, the eye doctor will ask you to compare different lenses to determine which provides the clearest vision.
Keratometry and Corneal Topography
Keratometry measures the curvature of the cornea to detect irregularities. This provides a basic measurement of corneal curvature in the two principal meridians.
Corneal topography provides a detailed map of the corneal surface, helpful in diagnosing irregular astigmatism and planning for refractive surgery. This advanced imaging technique creates a color-coded map of the cornea, showing variations in curvature and elevation.
Treatment Options: How to Improve Eyesight
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are a safe and effective option for correcting astigmatism in people of all ages. The lenses are designed to compensate for the irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.
What to Expect: A Patient’s Journey
Patient Example 1: Sarah, 28, experienced eye strain and headaches. An eye exam revealed mild astigmatism, corrected with eyeglasses. Within a week, her symptoms disappeared.
Patient Example 2: John, 45, had difficulty seeing street signs at night due to moderate astigmatism. He opted for contact lenses and found significant improvement, especially at night.
When to Seek Immediate Care
While astigmatism itself is not typically an emergency, seek immediate medical attention for:
- Sudden loss of vision.
- Severe eye pain, especially with redness or light sensitivity.
- Sudden onset of double vision.
- New or worsening halos or glare around lights.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What is the severity of my astigmatism?
- What are the best treatment options for my case?
- What are the risks and benefits of each treatment option?
- How often should I have follow-up eye exams?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to help manage my astigmatism?
Living With Astigmatism
Living with astigmatism involves managing your vision correction and minimizing eye strain. Tips for daily management:
- Wear your prescribed glasses or contacts consistently: Ensure your prescription is up-to-date with regular eye exams.
- Optimize your workspace: Ensure proper lighting and reduce glare. Position your monitor at arm’s length and slightly below eye level.
- Take frequent breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Practice good eye hygiene: Follow your eye doctor’s instructions for contact lens care. Avoid rubbing your eyes.
- Consider anti-glare coatings: Ask about anti-glare coatings for glasses.
Common Misconceptions
Common myths debunked:
Myth: Astigmatism will get worse over time.
Fact: Astigmatism is often stable. Regular eye exams can monitor changes.
Myth: You can’t wear contact lenses if you have astigmatism.
Fact: Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism.
Myth: Astigmatism is caused by reading in dim light.
Fact: Astigmatism is primarily caused by the shape of the cornea or lens.
Astigmatism Treatment in Coral Gables, FL
If you’re experiencing blurred vision or eye strain, you don’t have to settle for discomfort. At The Laser Center of Coral Gables, we provide customized astigmatism treatment in Coral Gables, FL, offering both non-surgical and surgical options tailored to your lifestyle.
Our experienced team will assess your condition and discuss whether glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery is best for you. Clear vision is possible—and it starts with a comprehensive eye exam.
Call (305) 461-0003 or use our online appointment request form to schedule your consultation and learn how astigmatism treatment in Coral Gables, FL can restore your vision and confidence.
