Have you ever heard of astigmatism? You may have seen it on the list of your vision exam, but that doesn’t mean you know what it is. Generally, astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the shape of your eye’s lens. It can make it difficult to see clearly at any distance and lead to headaches and eyestrain if left untreated.
This article explores ten things that you probably didn’t know about astigmatism. Read on to learn more.
Things About Astigmatism That You Probably Didn’t Know
Before determining whether you have astigmatism and what kind of treatment could be best, your eye doctor may require further information about your eyesight.
So, here are ten things you should know about astigmatism.
1. Using Eyeglasses or Contacts May Not Solve Astigmatism
Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea – not by nearsightedness or farsightedness. That’s why glasses and contacts can only correct nearsightedness or farsightedness.
It can also be treated surgically by doctors. According to National Eye Institute, your cornea’s shape may be altered during surgery to enable proper light focus.
2. Most People With Astigmatism Have Blurry Vision at All Distances
If you have astigmatism, the shape of your cornea may change over time, making it difficult to see close up or far away. Severe astigmatism comes with a shift in refractive error in one eye or another.
Consult an optometrist before obtaining prescription glasses or contacts if your astigmatism impairs your distance vision but not your close vision (or vice versa).
3. You Can Have Astigmatism in One or Both Eyes
Astigmatism is bilateral (both eyes), but it is not always the case. The American Academy of Ophthalmology defines two forms of astigmatism: irregular and regular.
Typical astigmatism may be rectified with glasses or soft contact lenses. Meanwhile, Uncommon Astigmatism is usually caused by numerous eye problems and can be corrected by rigid contact lenses or surgical options.
4. Astigmatism Varies From Person to Person
Most people probably have astigmatism to some extent from birth. They never report symptoms and don’t need therapy because they don’t see it as abnormal, per News Medical.
Like other eye diseases, the degree of your astigmatism may vary from person to person, and it could be slight or severe enough to make seeing blurry at any distance difficult.
5. Astigmatism Can Affect Children
Astigmatism in children can be inherited or acquired as they age. Many children do not have symptoms, although some may experience blurry vision.
However, excessive astigmatism in one or both eyes in early childhood can result in amblyopia, a different disorder. By bringing your kids in for annual eye exams, you can stay on top of any changes in their vision.
6. Astigmatism Can be Managed
You can easily manage the condition with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery like LASIK or PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy).
If you have astigmatism, your optometrist may likely prescribe glasses to help correct your vision. Whether you prefer contacts, find out if any toric lenses are available that are made exclusively for those with astigmatism.
7. Astigmatism May be Hereditary
According to Harvard Health Publishing, Astigmatism is regarded as inherited; there is a reasonable probability that your children may also be shortsighted.
Several investigations of selected pedigrees and twins have documented that astigmatism is genetically transmitted. However, ongoing studies are still to further its inheritance characteristic of some genetic disorders.
8. Only an Eye Doctor Can Tell if you Have astigmatism
An eye doctor can only diagnose your astigmatism and treat your exact form, and your doctor can also determine whether you have astigmatism.
Before any symptoms appear, a routine eye exam is crucial to identify other diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
9. Astigmatism Doesn’t go Away on its Own
Astigmatism can become more severe over time without treatment. If you have astigmatism and don’t wear glasses or contact lenses, your eyes can focus on objects at different distances in different ways.
You may also have difficulty seeing clearly at night or in dim lighting because light entering your eye is refracted differently by the cornea.
10. The Type of Eyeglass Depends on the Degree of Your Astigmatism
A multi-focal lens may be required for your eyeglasses if you have more than one degree of astigmatism. This means that your vision is corrected for distance and near.
In some cases, people with mild or moderate astigmatism can wear glasses with only a single power. However, getting multi-focal drinks is best if you have severe astigmatism.
Conclusion
Thanks to this post, you can better understand astigmatism and how to treat it. With the proper treatment, you can have clear vision every day. Our eyes are delicate and sensitive organs that require special care.
If left untreated, astigmatism can lead to serious eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts later in life. It’s essential for everyone who wears glasses or contacts regularly to understand what causes their vision problems.
Booking an appointment with qualified specialists at Jackson Davenport Vision can be a good decision if you’re looking for superior, individualized eye care.