Discover the causes and treatments for astigmatism, a common vision problem affecting many people.
Have you ever wondered why your vision is blurry no matter how close or far you look? Are you curious about what might be causing your difficulty seeing at night? You might be experiencing astigmatism, a common optical condition, making up about 13% of all human eye refractive problems.
Unmanaged astigmatism can impact your performance at work or school. Even worse, failure to seek treatment can result in more complex and costly eye health issues in the future.
So if you’d like to know more about what you should do to address astigmatism, keep reading.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a vision error that occurs when the cornea or lens of the eye is irregularly shaped, preventing light from focusing properly on the retina. This leads to blurry or distorted vision at all distances.
There are two main types of astigmatism: corneal and lenticular. Corneal astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not perfectly curved, while lenticular astigmatism is due to an irregularly shaped lens within the eye.
Common symptoms of astigmatism include blurry or distorted vision, eyestrain, headaches, and difficulty seeing at night. These symptoms can affect your daily activities and overall quality of life.
Astigmatism can often be inherited and present from birth, but it can also develop due to eye injuries, surgeries, or other eye conditions like keratoconus. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s essential to consult with an optometrist who can diagnose and recommend the best course of action.
Diagnosing Astigmatism
Diagnosing astigmatism requires a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. This thorough check-up ensures accurate prescriptions for corrective lenses and identifies the presence and extent of astigmatism.
Diagnostic Tools Used:
- Keratometer: Measures the curvature of the cornea, providing essential information about corneal astigmatism.
- Autorefractor: Measures how light changes as it enters your eye, quickly giving an initial reading of your refractive error, including astigmatism.
- Phoropter: Helps determine your lens prescription by allowing you to compare different lens options.
- Corneal Topographer: Maps the surface curvature of the cornea, providing detailed information crucial for understanding specific irregularities.
These advanced diagnostic tools enable the optometrist to pinpoint the type and severity of astigmatism, leading to a tailored treatment plan.
Types of Astigmatism Explained
Which type of astigmatism affects you? Understanding the different types can help in managing this common eye condition.
- Regular astigmatism is when the eye is curved more in one direction than another, like the shape of a football.
- Irregular astigmatism, however, results from an uneven curvature, often caused by an injury or a condition like keratoconus.
Astigmatism can also be classified based on whether you are nearsighted or farsighted.
- Myopic astigmatism, or nearsightedness, means you see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.
- Hyperopic astigmatism, or farsightedness, is the opposite; you see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects are blurry.
Mixed astigmatism is another variation where one meridian of the eye is nearsighted, and the other is farsighted. This combination creates a complex refractive error, making vision correction more challenging. It requires precise diagnosis and specialised corrective lenses or treatments to address both aspects simultaneously.
Understanding High Order Astigmatism
High order astigmatism aberrations are complex vision problems caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens that go beyond common refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness. Diagnosing these aberrations involves examining the shape of the cornea and analyzing how light waves are distorted as they pass through the eye.
Over 60 different types of wavefront distortions have been identified. Unlike low order aberrations, which account for the majority of vision issues and can be easily corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses, high order aberrations are more intricate and less common, making up about 15% of all vision problems.
The effects of high order aberrations on vision can vary. People with larger pupils may experience more severe issues, especially in low light, where the pupil dilates and the distortions become more pronounced. Conditions like corneal scarring or cataracts can also cause significant vision problems, regardless of pupil size. Symptoms associated with high order aberrations include double vision, blurriness, ghost images, halos, starbursts, loss of contrast, and poor night vision.
Wavefront aberrometry (an advanced diagnostic tool used to measure how light travels through the eye), has improved the diagnosis and treatment of high order aberrations. Adaptive optics methods, including specialized glasses, contact lenses, intraocular lenses, and refractive surgery, aim to correct these complex distortions by flattening the wavefront shape emerging through the pupil.
Symptoms and Effects on Vision
If you suspect you have astigmatism, watch for the following symptoms:
Blurry Vision at All Distances:
- Difficulty focusing on objects, whether near or far.
- Overall vision distortion
Eyestrain and Fatigue:
- Tired eyes after reading, using the computer, or other visual tasks.
- Discomfort and headaches from trying to compensate for astigmatism.
- Frequent eye rubbing or needing frequent breaks.
Night Vision Difficulties:
- Increased difficulty seeing in low light conditions.
- Challenges driving at night due to glare and halos around lights.
Astigmatism affects your daily life, making routine tasks harder. From driving, reading and screen use to recognizing faces and navigating environments, these symptoms can significantly impact your quality of life. If these symptoms sound familiar, seek professional advice.
Treatment Options for Astigmatism
If you have astigmatism, several effective treatment options can improve your vision, each tailored to the severity and type of astigmatism.
Corrective Lenses:
- Eye Glasses: Special cylindrical lenses correct the way light enters your eye, providing clear vision.
- Soft Contact Lenses: Soft toric lenses designed for astigmatism offer a wide field of view and comfort.
- Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: These may be recommended for better vision correction.
- Hybrid Lenses: Combine hard and soft materials for enhanced comfort and vision.
Orthokeratology (Ortho-K):
- Worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea.
- Provides clear vision during the day without glasses or contact lenses.
- Non-surgical alternative for those not ready for permanent surgery.
Refractive Surgery:
- LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis): Creates a flap in the cornea and reshapes it with laser technology.
- PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): Removes the outer layer of the cornea before reshaping it.
- LASEK (Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy): Similar to PRK but preserves more of the corneal surface.
- SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): Uses a femtosecond laser to create and remove a small, lens-shaped piece of tissue (lenticule) within the cornea through a small incision, effectively treating astigmatism with minimal invasion.
Choosing the right treatment depends on your lifestyle, the severity of your astigmatism, and personal preference. Consulting with an optometrist will help you understand the pros and cons of each option, ensuring you receive the best care for your vision needs. The goal is to achieve the clearest vision possible and improve your quality of life.
Preventing Astigmatism Complications
How can you prevent complications from astigmatism? Early diagnosis is key. Regular eye exams help detect astigmatism early, allowing for timely intervention and management. By catching astigmatism early, you can prevent it from worsening and avoid additional complications.
Managing eye health involves more than just wearing corrective lenses. Protecting your eyes from injuries, using proper lighting when reading or working, and taking breaks during prolonged visual tasks are all crucial. These measures help maintain optimal eye health and reduce the risk of developing other eye conditions.
Stay proactive with your eye care. Regular check-ups and good eye habits can significantly improve your quality of life and keep your vision clear.
CONCLUSION
Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, leading to blurred or distorted vision.
Ignoring astigmatism can lead to worsening vision and chronic discomfort. Delaying treatment could result in serious vision problems, making everyday tasks challenging.
Treatment options include corrective lenses, orthokeratology, and various types of refractive surgery.
Take control of your vision health today by booking an eye care appointment with your optometrist.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of optometry or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
