What Is Astigmatism

What is it?

Astigmatism comes about when the front end region of the eye, technically referred to as the cornea, is not a regular harmonious apple-shaped shape. Instead, its shape is kind of like that of the back of a spoon – longer in one direction than another. Due to the fact that the cornea is an unpredictable shape, the eye cannot focus light passing through it sharply on to the back of the eye or retina. So vision is obscure at all distances.

What causes it?

During prenatal eye development, assorted components define the configuration of it, including transmitted genetic factors and environment. It would seem that these factors can result in an lumpy curvature of the cornea, although the exact cause isn’t known.

Who’s affected?

Most people have a slight astigmatism

Astigmatism is common and is commonly present from birth. Most people have a slender astigmatism – it is unusual for the cornea to have developed in a absolutely symmetrical style. But in mild cases, the eye can adjust to focus light adequately.

In many cases of astigmatism the person also has accompanied visual problems like short-sightedness or long-sightedness. Two-thirds of people with short-sightedness also have significant astigmatism.

What are the symptoms?

In severe astigmatism, vision is obscured or distorted whether the individual is reading close up or looking further into the distance.

In milder cases the person may complain their vision is obscured at certain distances, that they’ve tired or dry eyes, that it is a struggle to focus or read, or that they’ve headaches, especially when trying to focus.
How is it diagnosed?

Astigmatism should be diagnosed by a registered optometrist, ophthalmic surgeon or eye specialist. A thorough optometric examination should be done to assess the degree and extent of the problem.

Tiny children, who mightn’t be able to respond to the optometrist’s questions about what they can see, can be assessed using a test called retinoscopy that involves reflected light.

What’s the treatment?

In most cases, you can adequately deal with an astigmatism by using properly prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses.

If the astigmatism isn’t too bad, it may not require treatment at all – unless of course it is critical to your work that you have perfect vision or that you are likely to tire, in which case a mild astigmatism may become more of a problem.

In some cases, astigmatism can be corrected by an operation called refractive surgery, which reshapes the cornea.

Some may choose laser surgery. You should discuss the benefits and risks of this treatment with your surgeon before you go decide whether to have it.